10 Pieces Of Evidence That Climate Change Is Real

Julie is currently studying s Bachelor of Arts (Professional and…

Climate change is becoming an increasingly bigger problem and it’s becoming impossible to ignore.

Here are 10 pieces of evidence that climate change is real. And there are links to evidence for further reading, in case you want to read more (or if you don’t believe me!).

1. Human activities are behind climate change

Human activities are the source of climate change, not natural causes, according to the meticulous analysis of evidence and data on The Royal Society. Scientists have used fingerprinting to study the causes. They do this by observing different influences very closely and do regular tests to see whether natural changes explain the changing patterns. So, climate change is basically our fault. So we should do something about it!

2. Animals’ behaviour patterns are changing

Due to the climate changing and seasons beginning earlier, many animals have migrated earlier according to National Academies Press. This affects things like interactions between different species, and disruptions with feeding and pollination. All species adapt and change, but climate change may push some species too far!

3. Seasons are changing

The seasons are changing and moving forward due to climate change. An analysis of the plant species in Europe, which is mentioned on Carbon Brief, shows that over the past three decades in Russia, the beginning of Spring has moved forward by six to eight days. This study was conducted on more than 500 plant species. This is because of climate change caused by humans and not the natural climate.

4. Food supply will change

Climate change is affecting the world’s food supply as stated on Live Science. Climate change will decrease the amount of food grown due to rising temperatures and increased crop pests. Locations will change as the heat limits when farmers can work. The quality of food will decrease as crops grown under elevated carbon dioxide levels have lower nutrients. Food supply will need to be increased to keep up with our demand.

5. Heat waves are becoming more extreme

Climate change results in heat becoming more extreme according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Extreme heat affects a number of our daily activities. Kids can’t go to school because the heat affects their concentration levels. People who work outside won’t be able to do their jobs because of heat stress. Cities become hotter due to the excessive amount of heat-retaining materials such as concrete and asphalt making it almost unbearable to live. And the heat makes it difficult to travel as many roads, rails, etc cannot operate in extreme weather.

6. Arctic sea ice is rapidly melting

Arctic sea ice is rapidly melting, and there’s a graph to prove it on Clerro. It’s common for sea ice to melt, but the melting sea ice reached its lowest point in September 2012. Although it hasn’t plateaued that much since then, sea ice is still declining.

7. Storms and floods are heavier

The number of heavier storms in the world has increased because as the world’s atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture. On Vox, scientists believe climate change was the factor behind at least 18% of Hurricane Harvey’s record-setting rainfall in August.

8. Winters are warmer

Similar to the point above, it’s stated on Vox that the lowest temperatures all over the world are rising. Winters are generally warming faster than summers. Snow accumulation has decreased significantly in the U.S. which generally means wildfires, droughts, and floods will increase. This is because the water that would steadily go away is going away all at once.

9. The oceans are absorbing the excess heat

The temperature of the earth is rising. Because of this, all of the excess heat has to go somewhere. And it’s going to our oceans! Our oceans are absorbing 90% of the excess heat according to Inside Climate News. Not only that, the heat absorption rate has nearly doubled since 1992.

10. Oceans have started to acidify

Similar to the fact above, Climate Science Special Report states the oceans are absorbing more carbon dioxide which means they’re more acidic than usual. This is dangerous for marine ecosystems as the carbon dioxide caused by humans is corrosive.