Introduction

The year 2023 witnessed alarming signs of climate change, from record-breaking summer temperatures to shrinking Antarctic sea ice and extreme weather events across the globe.
Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change, there remains confusion and misinformation on this critical issue.

Is the Earth Becoming Warmer?

Temperature Measurement: Temperature measurements since the late 1880s show global warming trends. Satellite data confirms an increase of at least 1.1 degrees Celsius since 1880.
Indirect Verification: Analyzing natural indicators like tree rings and ice cores. Observing effects such as warming oceans, shrinking ice cover, and rising sea levels. Multiple monitoring systems enhance confidence in global-scale warming.
Acceleration of Warming: Recent decades witness unprecedented rapid warming. The majority of warming observed since 1975. 2022 marked the 46th consecutive year of temperatures above the 20th-century average.

Natural Factors: Throughout Earth’s history, natural factors like solar variations and volcanic activity influenced climate.
Current Acceleration: However, natural factors exert too little influence and operate too slowly to account for recent rapid warming, as acknowledged by NASA.
Greenhouse Gases: The primary driver of global warming is the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor.
Human Influence: Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have released substantial greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Unprecedented Change: Changes that would typically occur over hundreds of thousands of years are now happening within decades.

Scientific Consensus: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that “human influence on the climate system is clear and growing.”
Unprecedented Warmth: 2022 marked the 46th consecutive year with global temperatures exceeding the 20th-century average, with the last nine years ranking among the warmest.

Paris Agreement: 195 countries pledge to limit warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius” and aim to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Baseline Year: Pre-industrial levels based on measurements from 1850 to 1900, providing a reliable historical reference.
Reason for 1.5 Degrees: Scientific consensus: 1.5 degrees is a defense line against severe climate impacts. It avoids extreme and irreversible consequences associated with 2 degrees warming.
Continuous Improvement: Lowering the target reduces climate risks further. Science supports aiming for the lowest possible temperature increase.

Increased Extreme Weather: More frequent and intense heavy precipitation. Elevated drought intensity and frequency in some regions.
Warmer Oceans: Higher number of strong hurricanes with rapid strengthening.
Intensified Wildfires: Longer-lasting and more intense wildfires.
Rapid Sea Ice Melt: Accelerated sea-level rise.
Emerging Consequences: Many of these impacts are already underway. Breaching the threshold exacerbates these effects.

WMO Warning: World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warns of a 66% chance of crossing the 1.5-degree limit between 2023 and 2027.
Hottest Year: 2023 declared the hottest year on record, 1.48 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels.
Daily Fluctuations: Daily temperatures occasionally exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, but long-term trends are the focus.

The evidence of climate change and global warming is undeniable.
Human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases, are driving these changes at an unprecedented rate.
Understanding the science behind climate change is crucial in addressing this real global crisis.