Fun Facts about climate change

Due to combustion of fossil fuels, the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has been increasing alarmingly. All these gases have been present in the atmosphere to keep this planet warm for the existence of human life. Since last few decades and mostly due to industrial revolution, the presence of these gases in the atmosphere has accumulated steadily resulting in enhanced greenhouse effect.

As a result, world’s average surface temperature has increased by around 0.6 degrees Celsius over last 100 years. The changing climate patterns have already made significant impact on our planet. Melting of polar ice caps, change in rainfall patterns, increase in frequency of hurricanes, storms are few of the adverse effects of climate change. Scientists predicted that due to ongoing activities contributing to global warming, the average global temperature could increase between 1.4 and 6 degrees Celsius in the 21st century.

Below are 35 facts about climate change

Fact 1: The global temperature on an average has increased by 0.6 to 1 degree Celsius till the 20th century.

Fact 2: The United States constitutes 5% of the world population and contributes to 22% of world’s carbon emission.

Fact 3: Around 15% of the carbon released in the environment is due to deforestation and change in use of land.

Fact 4: The golden Toad is the first species to go extinct due to climate change.

Fact 5: Vehicles like cars and truck contribute to 20% of carbon emissions in the United States.

Fact 6: Air conditions and heating elements consume 50% of electricity in America.

Fact 7: Hurricanes, droughts and coral deaths are few of the natural disasters caused due to climate change.

Fact 8: Climate change enhances the spread of pests that causes life threatening diseases like dengue, malaria, Lyme disease etc.

Fact 9: The hottest years have been experienced since 1990 till 1997. The warmest years have been from 2005-2010.

Fact 10: The number of climate change related incidents have increase four fold between 1980 and 2010.

Fact 11: Land use change and deforestation contributes to 15% of carbon emission every year.

Fact 12: The climate change scenario was much stable before the industrial revolution and has been rapidly changing since then. Today the reality is that climate change is going to get worse than yesterday.

Fact 13: A separate budget of US$ 40 million has been allotted for climate change research since 1990.

Fact 14: Due to the greenhouse effect, the average temperature of the earth is 15 degrees rather than -18 degrees without the greenhouse effect.

Fact 15: Carbon dioxide constitutes only 3.6 % of total greenhouse gases out of which 0.12% is attributed to human activities.

Fact 16: Carbon dioxide is not the only contributing gas towards climate change. Other gases like methane and nitrous oxide are far more dangerous than carbon dioxide alone.

Fact 17: The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a leading body fighting against climate change. This body is a political organization however and not a scientific body.

Fact 18: The Kyoto Protocol, an organization formed to analyze and fight against climate change will cost more than 100 trillion dollars thus making developing and underdeveloped communities to participate.

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