In the following section, various maps put together by Bloomberg Business show what is really warming the world. They work through different maps of both natural phenomena and human-driven phenomena that contribute to an observed rise in temperature globally.
Below is a map of the observed rise in temperature. Since 1880, global average temperature has increased by 1.4 F.
Is it the Earth’s Orbit?
The map below shows the influence of the Earth’s orbit, tilt, and wobble that change over various time periods. However, over the past 125 years, orbital changes were observed to have minimal impact on the observed rise in temperature.
Is it the Sun?
The map below shows the variance in the sun’s temperature over a 125-year period. Again, we see that the sun’s change in temperature had minimal effect on the observed change in temperature, too.
Is it Volcanoes?
Volcanic eruptions emit various sulfate chemicals that actually cool the atmosphere. For example, the volcanic eruption in Iceland in 2010 released sulfate chemicals that shifted global temperatures downward for approximately 1-2 years. Even so, the eruptions have limited effect on the observed increase in temperature.
All Three?
When these above three natural changes are added together, it still does not account for the observed temperature changes.
Question:
Why is it assumed that natural changes, such as the ones outlined above, offer
an explanation for the observed temperature change of 1.4 F?
Question: How might shifting the narrative of climate change to only focusing on natural changes absolve human-caused effects?
So if it’s not nature, is it deforestation?
The map below shows land-use changes over a 125-year period. Humans have altered approximately half of the Earth’s surface via plowing, paving, and deforestation. The removal of dense forest vegetation leads to lighter patches which reflect more sunlight. This phenomenon, in turn, produces a cooling effect.
Or ozone pollution?
The map below is of observed ozone pollution. Ozone produced naturally and high in
the atmosphere helps to block sunlight and can produce a cooling effect. However,
ozone produced by human activity and pollution at the Earth’s surface traps heat
and increases temperatures. Ozone at the Earth’s surface is a greenhouse gas. Yet,
ozone has a limited effect on the observed temperature increase.
Is it aerosol pollution?
Aerosols are pollutants that have a cooling effect. Sulfate aerosols emitted from coal-burning power plants, for example, can help offset temperature increases. However, these aerosols can damage the environment by causing acid rain and other forms of pollution.
It’s Greenhouse Gases!
Atmospheric CO2 levels are 40% higher than they were in 1750. The emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is the direct contributor to global warming.
The combination of greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone, and land-use change create a broader umbrella of human activity. This umbrella models the observed temperature change quite well.
When all factors are combined [both human and natural], it is evident that human factors have an overwhelming impact on temperature change.
Question: How can data maps such as the ones shown here help teach about climate change and global warming to someone who is a skeptic?
Question: Were you surprised by any of the maps shown? Why or why not?
Question: What can we do to lower emissions associated with human activity?