Section 1.1: Rising Temperatures

Over the past 200 years, global temperatures have increased by 2.12°F (1.18°C), with the majority of this rise occurring in recent decades. For context, the last ice age saw a temperature decline of only 5-9°F (2.8-5°C).

It is clear that even minor temperature shifts can have significant consequences. Alarmingly, the National Climate Assessment predicts an 8°F rise by 2100, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes for all life on Earth. The years 2016 and 2020 set records as the hottest years, and such extreme heat is expected to become more frequent, severely impacting our planet.

The U.N. report cautions that the devastating impacts of climate change are accelerating, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Section 1.2: Prolonged Droughts

The famine in Madagascar illustrates the serious ramifications of climate change, with this being just the beginning of a series of potential famines in the coming century.

Escalating droughts and heatwaves will severely impact agriculture worldwide. NASA's research suggests that a drought that previously occurred once every 20 years could happen every 2-3 years by the century's end. These droughts not only lead to food shortages but also jeopardize access to clean water and increase the likelihood of wildfires.

Section 1.3: Increasing Storm Intensity

Rising global temperatures contribute to heightened evaporation rates, resulting in moisture being drawn from the land and accumulating in the atmosphere. This combination of dry land and warm air sets the stage for more frequent and intense natural disasters.

In the past 30 years, we have witnessed an increase in extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The impact of these disasters is already evident, with the U.S. experiencing an average annual infrastructure damage of $10.8 billion from 2011 to 2015, up from $5.2 billion from 1980 to 2015.

In this Crash Course episode, we examine how climate change will continue to affect us, exploring both current and future implications.

Section 1.4: Rising Sea Levels

Since 1880, sea levels have risen by 8 inches, a seemingly small amount compared to the predicted rise of 1-8 feet by 2100. This projection is alarming, especially considering that 600 million people reside at or near sea level.

Major cities like New York, Shanghai, and Mumbai could face severe flooding, threatening millions of lives and causing extensive damage to infrastructure.

Section 1.5: Melting Ice Caps

The Arctic regions have experienced the most significant effects of global warming, with a 13% loss of arctic ice each decade since the 1980s, and the thickest areas losing a staggering 95%. By mid-century, it is predicted that the Arctic Ocean will be nearly ice-free during summer.

The poles are crucial to our climate; their loss could result in drastic increases in global temperatures and sea levels.

Section 1.6: Additional Adverse Effects

While rising temperatures, increasing droughts, and melting ice caps are among the most visible consequences of climate change, they are not the only issues we face.

Here are some other harmful effects of climate change:

• Declining air quality: Increased ground-level ozone from pollution has deteriorated air quality.
• Higher extinction rates: The shifting climate has accelerated extinction rates to approximately 114 times the natural baseline.
• Acidification of oceans: Emissions absorbed by the oceans have resulted in more acidic waters, harming marine life globally.