What causes global warming?

The main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides. Here’s how the levels of these gases go up in the atmosphere:

Burning fossil fuels: oil and gas are burned to create energy for vehicles, factories and many more things. When they are burned they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Electrical devices: a lot of the technology we use needs energy to work. If the energy is not obtained through natural sources like the sun, wind and water power, it contaminates the Earth.

Farming: when animals on farms eat, methane gas (a greenhouse gas) builds up inside of them. Every time a cow burps or passes gas, a little puff of methane is released into the atmosphere.

Deforestation: trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen for us to breathe. When trees are cut down, carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere.

The effects of global warming

Global warming changes the climate around the world. This can cause droughts, floods, bush fires, hurricanes and sea levels to rise from melting ice. Animals can die and the food chain can be disturbed.

If the ice on the planet melts, how will animals like penguins and polar bears survive?

Some species of seals, like ringed seals, make caves in the snow and ice to raise their pups, feed and mate. If the snow melts they will no longer be able to do this.

Global warming doesn’t only affect animals in cold areas, it affects animals all over the world. When animals die or migrate because of temperature changes, animals that need those animals for food die too.

People are also affected. When the climate changes it makes it harder to grow food. It can cause massive food and water shortages.

When sea levels rise from all the melted ice which is added to the oceans, the extra water makes its way to the land. Billions of peoples' homes that are located near oceans will end up underwater.

What can we do?

The amount of carbon dioxide one human releases into the environment in a year is called the carbon footprint.

Here are some things we can do to keep your carbon footprint down:

• Recycle as much as possible
• Walk or cycle
• Eat less meat and more vegetables
• Let clothes dry naturally instead of using a clothes dryer
• Shop locally and from eco-friendly businesses
• Unplug phone and laptop chargers when they’re not in use, they still use up energy!
• Plant trees
• Use energy-saving light bulbs
• Spread the word!

Did you know?

• There is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today than there has ever been in the last 800,000 years.
• The U.S. produces 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide pollution from burning fossil fuels.
• The temperature determines whether sea turtle eggs will be male or female. If the temperatures rise as a result of global warming, this could mean many more females will be born than males, which would cause problems for breeding.
• Every 40,000 years, the Earth changes position which causes climate change.
• Up until about 150 years ago, human activity did not produce many greenhouse gases. That changed as forests were cleared to make way for cities and farms and electrical devices were invented.