As global temperatures rise, will the world become less stable? Will the rich countries be able to help the poor countries? What will the impact of climate change be on our lives?


Here are some things you need to know.

Global warming is happening

Climate change has become a hot topic in recent years. Some people believe that climate change isn't a major issue at all, while others claim that the current levels of emissions are too high.

Whatever your viewpoint on climate change, there are many factors we can all agree on.

We can all agree that something is wrong

The climate is changing. In fact, the most recent data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates that the average temperature on land and ocean surfaces have risen by 0.85°C since 1880. In addition, the number of heat waves, heavy rainfall, drought, and flooding has increased in the past hundred years.

The Arctic ice sheet is melting

According to the most recent figures, Arctic sea ice extent was at its lowest level in recorded history between July 2008 and March 2012. The graph below shows how sea ice has been melting since 1980.

As global temperatures rise, so does carbon dioxide

CO2 is a gas that acts as a greenhouse gas. It has a very strong effect on the climate, as the Earth's natural greenhouse effect absorbs about half of all CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.

However, CO2 levels are increasing. According to a study by the University of East Anglia, between 1820 and 2007, global CO2 emissions rose from about 280 million tons per year to over 380 million tons per year.

Climate change effects on the environment

Increasing temperatures affect ecosystems and wildlife in various ways.

Sea level is rising. Over the past century, the sea level has risen by about 20cm. Over the next century, it is predicted to rise another 20cm.

In the US, the cost of coastal property insurance is expected to increase by 40% by 2050, compared to a 5% increase in the past decade. The same study showed that, in some areas, property damage due to storms and hurricanes was expected to rise dramatically in the future.

Many species of animals and plants are moving northwards. As temperatures rise, animals and plants move towards the poles to avoid the increasingly hot summers. This is called poleward movement.

Increased water levels mean that the frequency and intensity of flooding events are increasing. Floods cause significant destruction, both in terms of buildings and farmland, as well as affecting people's health and lifestyles.

Higher temperatures have led to an increase in heat waves and wildfires. The US has seen an increase in heat waves and extreme weather, which have been linked to climate change. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the number of wildfires across the country has doubled since 1978.

Increasingly intense tropical cyclones are affecting people in coastal areas and in inland areas. Between 1971 and 2010, the number of tropical cyclones across the globe has more than tripled.