Why climate change matters

The planet is getting warmer, and most scientists agree that human activity is the main cause. When we burn coal, oil and gas, we release a gas called carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This gas traps heat, like a glass roof over a greenhouse. Over the last 150 years, the average temperature of the Earth has risen by more than one degree. This may not sound like a lot, but it has already had serious consequences. Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods are becoming more frequent. If we do nothing, scientists predict that the temperature could rise by three or four degrees by the end of the century. The effects would be very difficult to manage. The good news is that solutions exist. Many countries are now investing in renewable energy: wind, solar and hydroelectric power. Electric cars are becoming cheaper. Some cities are planting millions of trees. Individual actions matter too: using public transport, eating less meat, and saving electricity at home. The challenge is huge, but it is not yet too late.