Global warming and drought are two words that sound like they belong in a science fiction novel. However, these words are actually about the present reality and not the future - they are not fiction, but real.
The Earth's climate has thrived in different environments over the course of its history. It was warmer than it is now at many points in time, and at other points it was colder. In the past, climate change has happened over long periods of time, but now there is a lot of change happening very quickly because the rate at which humans are releasing heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere is unprecedented. Global warming is largely induced by humans by burning coal, oil, and gas for energy; destroying wildlife habitats; and farming livestock in a way that pollutes the air.
In recent years, the world has seen an increase in extreme weather events, from hurricanes to heat waves. These events have been fueled by a rapid warming of the Earth’s climate system over the past century due to increased human emissions of heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.
Global warming is harming even the oceans. Global warming impacts marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and fisheries. Coral reefs, which provide habitat for nearly a quarter of all marine organisms and support tourism in some 200 countries, are projected to decline by 70% by 2050 if current trends continue. The Earth's oceans are also depleting their oxygen levels. This process, known as oceanic hypoxia, is happening at an alarming rate and is detrimental to marine life. The impacts of global warming and dryness will only be exacerbated if we do not act now to reduce our emissions.
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