There is a lot of buzz around climate change—let’s look at the facts to better understand one of the greatest challenges of our time.
The term global warming refers to the long-term warming of the planet. The term climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet.
Source: NASA
These broader climate changes include: rising sea levels, shrinking mountain glaciers, accelerating ice melt in Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic, and shifts in flower and plant blooming times.
Source: US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
Human activity, especially greenhouse gas emissions, is considered the dominant cause of temperature increases.
Source: BBC News
The greenhouse effect refers to the way the Earth’s atmosphere traps and absorbs solar energy.
Source: BBC News
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was formed in 1988 to collect and assess evidence on climate change. Since then, it has produced a series of alarming climate models. Under these models, most of the planet’s ice cover would melt by the end of the century and trigger a cascade of irreversible consequences, including flooding strong enough to engulf entire cities.
Source: BBC News
Paleoclimatology—or the study of changes in climate throughout Earth’s history—uses evidence found in tree rings, ocean sediment, coral reefs, and layers of sedimentary rocks to determine that current warming is occurring roughly 10 times faster than the post-ice age warming.
Source: NASA
By 2060, the cost of inaction on climate change is predicted to reach a staggering $44 trillion, with the highest anticipated GDP losses in the Middle-East, Northern, and Sub-Saharan Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.
Sources: CitiGPS + The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
In 2018, there were 14 extreme-weather events that resulted in more than $1 billion in damages.
Source: UN News
The average number of people exposed to heatwaves has increased by approximately 125 million since the beginning of the century.
Source: UN News
Community-led nonprofits working to fight climate change are underfunded.
Source: Learn Library
The science is clear: Our climate is changing. The most marginalized communities—historically shut out of decisions made about their futures—will bear the brunt of the damage. That’s why GlobalGiving launched the Climate Action Fund, which will provide ongoing support for critical solutions led by the communities most affected by the climate crisis that threatens us all.
Join us and invest in local leaders tackling a global challenge with a donation to the Climate Action Fund today.
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