Carbon emissions are one of the leading causes of climate change. Burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun’s rays inside the atmosphere causing Earth’s average temperature to rise.
Over the past century, Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not seem like much, but it has already had a major impact on our planet. For example, ice is melting at an unprecedented rate in both polar regions. As a result, sea levels are rising and coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding and other impacts of extreme weather events. Climate change is also contributing to more frequent and more intense wildfires, droughts, and hurricanes.
Scientists expect that if we do not take action to reduce carbon emissions, Earth’s average temperature will rise another 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few decades. This would have catastrophic consequences for both people and wildlife. To avoid this future, we must drastically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards clean energy sources such as solar and wind power.