Global Warming: 

News, Facts, Causes & Effects

Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate. There is great debate among many people, and sometimes in the news, on whether global warming is real (some call it a hoax). But climate scientists looking at the data and facts agree the planet is warming. While many view the effects of global warming to be more substantial and more rapidly occurring than others do, the scientific consensus on climatic changes related to global warming is that the average temperature of the Earth has risen between 0.4 and 0.8 °C over the past 100 years. The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities, are believed to be the primary sources of the global warming that has occurred over the past 50 years. Scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate carrying out global warming research have recently predicted that average global temperatures could increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C by the year 2100. Changes resulting from global warming may include rising sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrence and severity of storms and other severe weather events.

Here's What You Can Expect from This Spring's Weather

February 15, 2018 | Article

Is the U.S. heading into a chilly and rainy spring, or a warm and drought-ridden one? The answer, as always, depends on your location, according to the March, April and May weather outlook released today (Feb. 15) by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. 

A Ticking Time Bomb of Mercury Is Hidden Beneath Earth's Permafrost

February 06, 2018 | Article

The mercury's rising — and probably spilling into our oceans.

Polar Bears Starving As Arctic Ice Vanishes

February 01, 2018 | Article

A new study shows that polar bears require more food than previously thought. 

Greenland: Earth's Biggest Island

January 31, 2018 | Reference

Greenland is the biggest island on Earth, and it's covered by a thick ice sheet. Scientists are growing extremely concerned that global warming is melting the ice too quickly. 

Reindeer Weapons: Ancient Hunting Implements Emerge as Ice Melts

January 29, 2018 | Article

Archaeologists have collected more than 2,000 artifacts dropped by ancient reindeer hunters in Norway's icy mountains.

Photos: Ancient Arrows from Reindeer Hunters Found in Norway

January 29, 2018 | Image Album

As climate change melts the ice patches of Norway, artifacts from the past 6,000 years are being exposed.

Scorcher! 2017 Ranked Among Three Hottest Years Ever

January 18, 2018 | Article

Last year was one of the three warmest years on record, according to a new report by NASA and NOAA.

The Oldest Butterflies on Earth Had No Flowers to Feed On

January 10, 2018 | Article

Butterflies and moths are so ancient, they lived before the existence of flowers, a new study finds.

Climate Change Turned 99.8% of These Sea Turtle Babies into Girls

January 09, 2018 | Article

A new study found that sea turtles born in areas most heated by climate change are 99.8 percent female

Stephen Hawking Is Worried About Humanity's Future

January 08, 2018 | Article

In a new episode of "Favorite Places," Hawking wonders if humans will understand existence before destroying themselves.