Где сейчас теплее всего в мире: 10 самых жарких мест на земле: где самая высокая температура

с 2020 года на Земле началась пятилетка рекордной жары

РЕКОРД, ЕЩЕ РЕКОРД

Нравится это или нет – но мы с полным правом можем считать себя участниками (ну или хотя бы очевидцами) исторических событий. Мало того, что пандемию переживаем. Так еще и рекордно жаркие годы! Ближайшие пять лет, согласно свежему прогнозу Всемирной метеорологической организации, будут самыми знойными в истории наблюдений за погодой (https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/earth-day-highlights-climate-action).

Собственно, и 2020-й год наверняка станет рекордным по средней температуре на планете, считают ученые из Национальной администрации атмосферы и океанов США (NOAA). Пока вне конкуренции 2016 год, на втором месте 2019-й. Это если считать среднюю температуру по больнице, то есть на Земле. В России и Европе как раз минувший 2019-й год показал максимальную температуру.

Так или иначе, разделяют рекордсменов и догоняющих буквально сотые доли градуса, и в общем-то не суть, кто на первом месте. Главное – тенденция.

А она очевидна: последние пять лет, с 2015 по 2019-й, стали самыми жаркими в истории наблюдений за климатом. А следующие пять лет, с 2020 по 2024-й, будут еще жарче. Об этом говорят расчеты Центра исследований и прогнозирования климата имени Хэдли (Великобритания) – именно на его данные опираются в прогнозах на годы и десятилетия вперед во Всемирной метеорологической организации.

У ПОТЕПЛЕНИЯ ДВА УСКОРИТЕЛЯ – И ОБА В РОССИИ

Особенно заметными теплые аномалии будут в высоких (то есть приполярных широтах) и над континентами. У экватора и в тропиках, а также над океанами, температура растет не столь быстро. Собственно, то же самое происходит и сейчас. В ближайшую пятилетку тренд сохранится.

А теперь смотрим на карту России. Все совпало: у нас огромная территория, и большая ее часть расположена на севере. Так что на нас влияют оба “ускорителя” глобального потепления.

И в России оно действительно идет в 2,5 раза быстрее, чем в среднем на планете – это данные Росгидромета (см. “Теплые аномалии 2020 года”).

До конца 21 века наша страна останется одним из мировых лидеров по росту температур. Не то лидерство, которое радует. Но уж какое есть.

КАРАНТИН ОТ ПАРНИКОВОГО ЭФФЕКТА НЕ СПАС

Весной 2020 года содержание углекислого газа в атмосфере достигло рекордных цифр. Обсерватория Мауна-Лоа на Гавайях в марте зафиксировала среднемесячную концентрацию СО2 414,5 частей на миллион. Понимаю, на житейском уровне сложно оценить, много это или мало. Но столько еще ни разу не было – во всяком случае, за последние 50 лет, что ведутся регулярные измерения. Год назад, в феврале 2019 года, та же обсерватория намеряла 411,97 частей на миллион. Среднегодовой показатель в 2019-м составил 411,44 частей на миллион. А в 1970 году 325,68 частей на миллион (то есть на четверть меньше, чем сейчас).

На данные с Гавайских остров опираются климатологи всего мира, так как тамошняя обсерватория – старейшая в мире и одна из эталонных станций Глобальной службы атмосферы для измерения СО2 и других парниковых газов. Но и коллеги из других уголков Земного шара подтверждают: концентрации СО2 в марте 2020 года – рекордные! С австралийского острова Тасмания прислали цифру 408,3 частей на миллион (год назад было 405,66).

Но как? Почему? Люди же сидят по домам, самолеты не летают (ну очень редко – в России, скажем, выполняется лишь 10% рейсов по сравнению с докоронавирусным расписанием, похожая картина и в других странах), машин на дорогах явно меньше (в Москве трафик сейчас лишь 20 – 30% от обычного), многие производства остановлены… Если уж карантин глобального масштаба не помогает очистить атмосферу от парниковых газов, то что еще мы можем сделать?

ВЫБРОСЫ ВЫБРОСАМ РОЗНЬ

— Люди часто путают загрязнение воздуха с парниковыми газами, — объясняет Эмилио Куэвас, директор обсерватории Исанья, измеряющей количество СО2 в атмосфере на испанском острове Тенерифе. Там концентрации тоже растут, несмотря на то, что в Испании карантинные меры были самыми жесткими в Европе (https://elpais.com/sociedad/2020-04-22/el-carbono-en-la-atmosfera-sigue-marcando-records-pese-al-confinamiento.html).

От загрязняющих веществ воздух действительно очистился быстро. Причем везде, где ввели ограничения на поездки и работу: в Китае, в Европе, в России. Самый разительный контраст в крупных городах. В Китае, скажем, твердых частиц в атмосфере стало на 20-30% меньше. В европейских городах на 50% снизилось содержание вредного диоксида азота – его выбрасывают автомобили.

Однако с парниковыми газами мы не только не видим того же мгновенного эффекта – а как будто даже наоборот!

— В глобальном масштабе снижение выбросов СО2 во время пандемии не так уж велико, как может показаться. Да, люди меньше пользуются транспортом. Но мы продолжаем обогревать дома, многие предприятия работают, — аргументирует Карло Буонтемпо, директор европейского сервиса по мониторингу климатических изменений “Коперникус”.

Алексей Кокорин, директор программы «Климат и энергетика» Всемирного фонда дикой природы (WWF) объяснил “КП”, почему на это надеяться не стоит:

— На волне популизма многие утверждают, что коронавирус положительно влияет на экологию и изменение климата, но это не совсем так. Нужно смотреть дальше и глубже. Люди меньше выходят на улицу, меньше пользуются транспортом – естественно, их углеродный след снижается. Но они же когда-то выйдут из дома, рано или поздно вернутся к прежнему образу жизни, и все начнется по новой.

Снижать рост концентрации CO2 в атмосфере нужно не затягиванием поясов или кризисом, а с помощью разумного потребления.

Если уж карантин глобального масштаба не помогает очистить атмосферу от парниковых газов, то что еще мы можем сделать?Фото: Владимир ВЕЛЕНГУРИН

ТЕПЛЫЕ АНОМАЛИИ 2020 ГОДА

Первые три месяца 2020 года, с января по март, занимают 2 место по средней температуре на Земле за всю историю метеонаблюдений. В 2016-м году она была еще выше. А вот апрель-2020 — рекордно теплый.

В России минувшая зима 2019\2020 годов стала самой теплой за 130 лет, что ведутся метеонаблюдения. В Европе тоже. В Москве средняя температура трех зимних месяцев впервые оказалась выше ноля.

На 25 градусов выше климатической нормы – такую аномалию сложно себе представить, но она зафиксирована в феврале 2020 года в России. А именно в Хатанге, на Таймыре. Среднесуточная температура 25 февраля превысила норму на 25 градусов. Что лишний раз подтверждает: нашей стране и особенно в Арктике потепление идет семимильными шагами, которые всему миру и не снились.

В апреле эпицентром жарких рекордов стала Сибирь: там стоял удивительный даже для июля зной, +30…+32 градуса.

Из-за сочетания всех этих факторов – малоснежная зима, сухая почва, аномально высокие температуры и дефицит осадков – в России очень рано начался пожароопасный сезон.

По данным Росгидромета и NOAA.

БЛИЖЕ К ТЕЛУ

А что нам с этого?

Что значит пять рекордно жарких лет? У нас все лето будет +40? Отнюдь, нет. Если «у нас» — это в Москве, или даже Сочи, а не в Дубае. Рекорды, когда речь идет о средней температуре на планете, измеряются в десятых и сотых долях градуса. За сто с лишним лет, с конца 19 века, средняя температура на Земле повысилась на 1,1 градуса. И из-за одного градуса – весь сыр-бор? Да! Климатическая система Земли – не кондиционер, где можно легко отрегулировать температуру: градус в плюс, градус в минус, от этого занавески не колыхнутся. В реальном климате все сложнее. Повышение средней температуры на Земле на градус уже привело к массе катаклизмов с жертвами и ущербом на миллиарды. К концу 21 века потеплеет на 2 градуса в лучшем случае. Пессимисты же говорят о повышении глобальной температуры на 4 – 5 градусов. И вот чем это может грозить:

V «На протяжении 21 века на территории России вероятно нарастание «резкости» выпадения осадков в виде отдельных ливней или снегопадов, рост количества сильных паводков и наводнений, штормовых ветров, колебаний погоды в виде череды холодных и теплых периодов» (цитата из доклада Росгидромета “О климатических рисках на территории РФ”),

V Засуха грозит Южному федеральному округу и Северному Кавказу, в первую очередь Ставрополью и Астраханской области. Дефицит осадков в ближайшие 20 лет климатологи сулят также Белгородской, Воронежской, Ростовской, Тамбовской, Волгоградской, Саратовской, Оренбургской областям. Значит, на Черноземье упадут урожаи. Правда, в среднем Поволжье и Западной Сибири повысятся. К 2037 году засух в Европейской части России станет в полтора раза больше, чем на рубеже 20-21 веков. В 2040 – 2070 годах – в 2,5 раза. В этот же период и в Западной Сибири риск засух вырастет вдвое.

V Граница лесов сдвинется на сотни километров к северу, их место займут степи и пустыни.

V Лесные и торфяные пожары – одна из главных угроз меняющегося климата в России. После 2050 года они будут случаться на 50% чаще, чем сейчас. К концу столетия площади, охваченные огнем, увеличатся вдвое. И это касается практически всех регионов.

V Северный Ледовитый океан летом будет оттаивать ото льда, возможно, уже через десять лет – к 2030 году. Да, свободный Северный Морской путь России выгоден. Однако погибнут многие арктические экосистемы.

V Подъем уровня Мирового океана угрожает России не так серьезно, как островным государствам. Но все же у Санкт-Петербурга и Сочи есть риск если пусть и не уйти под воду, то страдать от мощных наводнений и штормов.

По прогнозам российских и зарубежных климатологов.

ЦИФРЫ

На 1,1 градуса выросла средняя температура на Земле, если сравнивать с серединой XIX века (то есть с доиндустриальной эпохой). В 1970 году превышение составляло всего 0,24 градуса. То есть львиная доля потепления (0,86 градуса) пришлась на последние 50 лет.

На 2 градуса выросла средняя годовая температура в Европе.

На 0,2 градуса глобальная температура повысилась за последние 5 лет (2015 – 2019), по сравнению с предыдущей пятилеткой (2011 – 2015).

С 1980-х каждое новое десятилетие становится теплее предыдущего.

По данным Всемирной метеорологической организации.

ЧИТАЙТЕ ТАКЖЕ

Пока экономика встала – природа отдыхает. Но это ненадолго

Благодаря пандемии во многих городах очистились вода и воздух. Однако, как предупреждают специалисты, мы рано радуемся (подробности)

90000 The World’s Most Visited Countries 90001 90002 By Steph Wright on June 5 2020 in Travel 90003 90004 Paris, France is the most visited country in the world.Source: Shutterstock 90005 90006 France is the world’s most visited country with 89 million tourists. 90007 90006 In 2019, 1.5 billion tourist arrivals were recorded around the world. 90007 90006 Tourism accounts for 12% of Spain’s economy. 90007 90012 90013 90002 The World Tourism Organization recently reported that international tourism is continuing to grow and is «outpacing the global economy».In 2019, 1.5 billion tourist arrivals were recorded around the world, a 4% increase on 2018’s figures. Despite the events of 2020 року, tourist numbers are still set to climb and there is now a focus on responsible tourism. The Middle East is currently the fastest-growing region for international tourism, but European countries such as France, Spain and Italy remain the most visited. Find out the top 10 world’s most visited countries below: 90003 90016 10.United Kingdom: 36 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 In 2019, the United Kingdom welcomed 36 million tourists to its towns and cities.London is the country’s most visited city, with approximately 12 million visitors each year. Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester are also popular city destinations. Tourism produces around USD 131 billion for the country and provides over two million jobs. American residents are the most frequent visitors, followed by those who live in France. Some of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions include Big Ben, the Tower of London and Stonehenge. 90003 90016 9.Thailand: 38 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for decades thanks to its white-sand beaches, delicious cuisine and hot weather.Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, frequently holds the top spot as the world’s most visited city. It attracts around 22 million visitors each year. The 1,430 islands of Thailand draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, some of the islands are heralded as being some of the best in the world. Thailand’s most popular spots include Railay Beach, Koh Phi Phi and The Grand Palace of Bangkok. 90003 90016 8.Germany: 39 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Germany is famous for its beer, sausages and picturesque castles.The country welcomes around 39 million tourists each year, with approximately 13 million visiting Berlin, Germany’s capital city. Tourism in Germany generates two million jobs for its residents and contributes over 4% towards the country’s GDP. 90003 90016 7.Mexico: 41 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Mexico, located in the southern part of North America, is rapidly becoming a favorite tourist destination.People from all over the world are visiting the vibrant country to enjoy the pristine beaches, explore the deep history and culture, and discover UNESCO World Heritage sites. Over the last decade, tourism has significantly contributed to Mexico’s employment and economy. In 2019, the government announced a six-year strategy to boost tourism and improve conditions for workers within the industry. Some of the country’s most visited destinations are Cancun, Mexico City, and Playa del Carmen. 90003 90016 6.Turkey: 46 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Located on two continents, Turkey offers a unique blend of East and West.Edged by the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, Turkey has an abundance of stunning coastlines and charming resorts. Tourists also enjoy visiting Turkey’s capital; it was reported that over 15 million vacationers visited Antalya in 2019. Antalya is popular thanks to its close proximity to beaches and remnants of Turkey’s rich history. Famous tourist attractions in Turkey include the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sofia Museum. 90003 90016 5.Italy: 62 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Italy has culture, history and cuisine in abundance, making it a very popular tourist destination for people all around the globe.Italy has a varied landscape that suits all traveler types; there are snow-covered peaks, sprawling vineyards and glittering coastlines. Not to mention the beautiful cities like Rome, Naples and Florence. There are 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites dotted throughout the country showcasing the best of Italian history. Some of Italy’s best-loved attractions include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. 90003 90016 4.China: 63 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 China, the third-largest country in the world, is in the world’s top five tourist destinations because of its natural landscapes, expansive history and delicious cuisine.Tourism in China is a growing industry that is becoming a significant part of the country’s economy. In 2018, tourism contributed 11.04% of China’s overall GDP, which increased a further 1.2% in 2019. Famous attractions include The Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. 90003 90016 3.United States: 80 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Tourism is one of the United States ‘biggest contributors to the country’s GDP.The industry supports over 7 million jobs, and in 2017, tourism generated USD 1.6 trillion in economic output. Cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles experience high numbers of tourists all year round, with New York being the most visited city in the country. Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan and China are the top five countries that make up the majority of US tourism. 90003 90016 2.Spain: 83 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Spain is the second most visited country in both the world and Europe.Tourism accounts for 12% of Spain’s economy and provides 13% of jobs. The majority of tourists who visit the country come from Europe; it is the warm weather, pristine beaches and bustling cities that attract millions of vacationers. Some of Spain’s most famous landmarks include La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and Alhambra. 90003 90016 1.France — 89 million tourists 90017 90018 90002 Attracting over 89 million tourists each year, France is the world’s most visited country.Paris, France’s capital city, draws in around 17 million tourists a year; 7 million of those visit the Eiffel Tower. Tourism in France represents 9.7% of the overall GDP and provides 2.9 million jobs. The majority of France’s visitors come from other European countries, with over 12 million coming from the United Kingdom. Disneyland, the Louvre and the Notre Dame Cathedral are some of France’s most visited attractions. 90003 .90000 What is global warming, facts and information? 90001 90002 Reference 90003 90004 90002 The planet is heating up-and fast. 90003 90002 Causes and Effects of Climate Change 90003 90002 Reference 90003 90004 90002 The planet is heating up-and fast. 90003 90002 Causes and Effects of Climate Change 90003 90002 PUBLISHED 90017 January 22, 2019 90018 90003 90002 Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, cloud forests are dying, and wildlife is scrambling to keep pace.It has become clear that humans have caused most of the past century’s warming by releasing heat-trapping gases as we power our modern lives. Called greenhouse gases, their levels are higher now than at any time in the last 800,000 years. 90003 90002 We often call the result global warming, but it is causing a set of changes to the Earth’s climate, or long-term weather patterns, that varies from place to place. While many people think of global warming and climate change as synonyms, scientists use «climate change» when describing the complex shifts now affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems-in part because some areas actually get cooler in the short term.90003 90002 Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. All of those changes are emerging as humans continue to add heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, changing the rhythms of climate that all living things have come to rely on. 90003 90002 What will we do-what 90027 can 90028 we do-to slow this human-caused warming? How will we cope with the changes we’ve already set into motion? While we struggle to figure it all out, the fate of the Earth as we know it-coasts, forests, farms, and snow-capped mountains-hangs in the balance.90003 90002 90031 90032 Understanding the greenhouse effect 90033 90034 90003 90002 The «greenhouse effect» is the warming that happens when certain gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap heat. These gases let in light but keep heat from escaping, like the glass walls of a greenhouse, hence the name. 90003 .90000 The New 7 Wonders of the World 90001 90002 By Oishimaya Sen Nag on January 7 2020 in Travel 90003 90004 Machu Picchu is listed among the 7 wonders of the world.90005 90006 The dream destination of millions of people across the world, Machu Picchu is one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is located in the Cusco Region of Peru’s Machupicchu District. 90007 90006 Although the Great Pyramid of Giza was not officially selected as one of the new seven wonders of the world, it was assigned an honorary title because of its undeniable importance.90007 90006 he Great Wall of China, a global tourist hotspot, is known across the world for its uniqueness, great length, and historical value. It is also considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world. 90007 90012 90013 90002 For centuries, human civilizations across the world have built and created cities, buildings, monuments, tombs, temples, churches, mosques, and other structures that continue to inspire awe in millions.Narrowing down the world’s wonders to only seven is a difficult task. Luckily, the New7Wonders Foundation took the initiative to compose a list of the «new» seven wonders of the world by narrowing down a list of 200 monuments from around the world, including some of the world’s most famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Statue of Liberty. 21 finalists were selected from this list, and the top seven were selected by popular vote. 90003 90002 This is a list of the New Seven Wonders of the World.For other lists of world wonders, please see the following: 90003 90005 90006 90020 90021 90020 Seven Wonders of the Modern World 90021 90007 90006 90020 Seven Natural Wonders of the World 90021 90007 90006 90020 Seven Wonders of the Ancient World 90021 90020 90021 90005 90006 The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World include picks from ancient times, such as the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Temple of Artemis, the Statue of Zeus of Olympia, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.90007 90012 90007 90006 90020 Seven Wonders of the Medieval World 90021 90005 90006 The Seven Wonders of the Medieval World include the most impressive wonders of the Middle Ages. Examples of these wonders include Stonehenge, the Hagia Sophia, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 90007 90012 90007 90012 90048 90048 90048 90051 Taj Mahal — India 90052 90053 90002 The Taj Mahal is well known across the world for its historical value, its tale of love, and its stunning beauty.The Taj Mahal is located in the historic Indian city of Agra. It houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is said that the Emperor loved his wife dearly and was prompted to build the Taj Mahal after her death as a testament to his love. The construction of the Taj Mahal was completed by 1632. The construction of the temple cost the equivalent of US $ 827 million today. In 1983, the Taj Mahal was inscribed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Today, it attracts 7 to 8 million annual visitors each year.90003 90051 Colosseum — Italy 90052 90053 90002 Rome, Italy hosts the Colosseum, which is one of the world’s new seven wonders.Sometimes called the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum is an oval-shaped amphitheater in the center of the city. Constructed from concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheater in the world. The Colosseum’s construction was initiated in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian and was finished by AD 80 by his successor, Titus. Domitian, another emperor of the Flavian dynasty later made certain modifications to the amphitheater. The Colosseum had the capacity to host about 80,000 spectators. Mock sea battles, animal hunts, famous battle re-enactments, executions, and mythological dramas were just some of the public spectacles held at the Colosseum.Today, this wonder of the world is a popular tourist attraction and serves as the iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. 90003 90051 Chichen Itza — Mexico 90052 90053 90002 Chichen Itza is an archaeological site located in Mexico’s Yucatán State.It is a pre-Columbian city that was built during the Terminal Classic period by the Maya people. The historical value of the site contributes to its status as a wonder of the world. Chichen Itza is believed to have been one of the major cities of the ancient Mayan world and constructions in the city exhibit a variety of architectural styles. 90003 90051 Machu Picchu — Peru 90052 90053 90002 The dream destination of millions of people across the world, Machu Picchu is one of the new seven wonders of the world.It is located in the Cusco Region of Peru’s Machupicchu District. According to the majority of archaeologists, the Inca emperor Pachacuti built Machu Picchu as an estate around the year 1450. The site developed as a city but was abandoned a century later during the Spanish Conquest. The site remained largely unknown to the rest of the world until its discovery by the American explorer Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu is a great representation of the Incan way of life. 90003 90051 Christ the Redeemer — Brazil 90052 90053 90002 One of Brazil’s most iconic symbols, the Art Deco styled statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro is one of the new seven wonders of the world.The credit of building the statue goes to Paul Landowski, a French sculptor. The Romanian sculptor, Gheorghe Leonida, was responsible for fashioning the face. Christ the Redeemer is 98 feet tall and has a 26-feet tall pedestal. Its arms stretch 92 feet wide. The 635 metric ton statue, made of soapstone and concrete, is located atop the 2,300 feet tall Corcovado mountain. The construction of the statue was initiated in 1922 and completed by 1931. 90003 90051 Petra — Jordan 90052 90053 90002 Petra, a Jordanian wonder, is also listed among the new seven wonders of the world.It has immense archaeological, historical, and architectural value that makes it a jaw-dropping tourist attraction. The water conduit system and the rock-cut architecture are the two most notable features of this ancient city. Petra is also nicknamed as the «Rose City» due to the stone color from which it is carved. Petra is not only one of the new seven wonders of the world but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also listed as one of the «28 Places to See Before You Die» by the Smithsonian magazine.90003 90051 Great Wall of China — China 90052 90053 90002 The Great Wall of China, a global tourist hotspot, is known across the world for its uniqueness, great length, and historical value.It is also considered to be one of the new seven wonders of the world. The Great Wall of China is associated with thousands of years of Chinese history. A series of walls were initially built by Chinese empires and states over a period of many years, beginning as early as the 7th century BCE. These walls were then joined together to result in the Great Wall of China. UNESCO inscribed the site as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. 90003 90051 Great Pyramid of Giza (Honorary Candidate) — Completed c.2560 BC 90052 90053 90002 Although the Great Pyramid of Giza was not officially selected as one of the new seven wonders of the world, it was assigned an honorary title because of its undeniable importance.The Great Pyramid of Giza is the biggest and the oldest one among the three pyramids forming the Giza Pyramid Complex. Egyptologists believe that this pyramid was built over a period of 10 to 20 years and completed by around 2560 BC. For over 3,800 years, the Great Pyramid of Giza stood tall as the world’s tallest structure until this position was replaced by the skyscrapers of the modern world. The Pyramid has baffled engineers and architects across the world as to how it was constructed in times when modern infrastructural facilities did not exist.The pyramid houses the tomb of Khufu, the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh. 90003 90051 The 7 Wonders Of The World 90052 90093 90094 90095 90096 Wonder 90097 90096 Date of construction 90097 90096 Location 90097 90102 90103 90104 90095 90106 Great Wall of China 90107 90106 Since 7th century BC 90107 90106 China 90107 90102 90095 90106 Petra 90107 90106 c.100 BC 90107 90106 Jordan 90107 90102 90095 90106 Christ the Redeemer 90107 90106 Opened October 12, 1931 90107 90106 Brazil 90107 90102 90095 90106 Machu Picchu 90107 90106 c. AD 1450 90107 90106 Peru 90107 90102 90095 90106 Chichen Itza 90107 90106 c. AD 600 90107 90106 Mexico 90107 90102 90095 90106 Colosseum 90107 90106 Completed AD 80 90107 90106 Italy 90107 90102 90095 90106 Taj Mahal 90107 90106 Completed c. AD 1648 90107 90106 India 90107 90102 90095 90106 Great Pyramid of Giza (Honorary Candidate) 90107 90106 Completed c.2560 BC 90107 90106 Egypt 90107 90102 90169 90170 Click to Expand .90000 What is global warming? | Live Science 90001 90002 The globe is heating up. Both land and oceans are warmer now than they were when record keeping began, in 1880 and temperatures are still ticking upward. This rise in heat is global warming, in a nutshell. 90003 90002 Here are the bare numbers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Between 1880 and 1980, the global annual temperature increased at a rate of 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit (0.07 degrees Celsius) per decade, on average.Since 1981, the rate of increase has sped up, to 0.32 degrees F (0.18 degrees C) per decade. This has led to an overall 3.6 degrees F (2 degrees C) increase in global average temperature today compared to the preindustrial era. In 2019, the average global temperature over land and ocean was 1.75 degrees F (0.95 degrees C) above the 20th-century average. That made 2019 the second hottest year on record, trailing only 2016. 90003 90002 This rise in heat is caused by humans. The burning of fossil fuels has released greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap warmth from the sun and drive up surface and air temperatures.90003 90008 How the greenhouse effect plays a role 90009 90002 The main driver of today’s warming is the combustion of fossil fuels. These hydrocarbons heat up the planet via the greenhouse effect, which is caused by the interaction between Earth’s atmosphere and incoming radiation from the sun. 90003 90002 «The basic physics of the greenhouse effect were figured out more than a hundred years ago by a smart guy using only pencil and paper,» Josef Werne, a professor of geology and environmental science at the University of Pittsburgh, told Live Science.90003 90002 That «smart guy» was Svante Arrhenius, a Swedish scientist and eventual Nobel Prize winner. Simply put, solar radiation hits Earth’s surface and then bounces back toward the atmosphere as heat. Gases in the atmosphere trap this heat, preventing it from escaping into the void of space (good news for life on the planet). In a paper presented in 1895 Arrhenius figured out that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide could trap heat close to the 90015 Earth 90016 ‘s surface, and that small changes in the amount of those gases could make a big difference in how much heat was trapped.90003 90008 Where the greenhouse gases come from 90009 90002 Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, humans have been rapidly changing the balance of gases in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels like coal and oil releases water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (Ch5), ozone and nitrous oxide (N2O), the primary greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas. Between about 800,000 years ago and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, CO2’s presence in the atmosphere amounted to about 280 parts per million (ppm, meaning there were about 208 molecules of CO2 in the air per every million air molecules).As of 2018 (the last year when full data are available), the average CO2 in the atmosphere was 407.4 ppm, according to the 90015 National Centers for Environmental Information 90016. 90003 90002 That may not sound like much, but according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, levels of CO2 have not been that high since the Pliocene epoch, which occurred between 3 million and 5 million years ago. At that time, the Arctic was ice-free at least part of the year and significantly warmer than it is today, according to 2013 research published in the journal 90015 Science 90016.90003 90002 In 2016, CO2 accounted for 81.6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to an analysis from the 90015 Environmental Protection Agency 90016 (EPA). 90003 90002 «We know through high-accuracy instrumental measurements that there is an unprecedented increase in CO2 in the atmosphere. We know that CO2 absorbs infrared radiation [heat] and the global mean temperature is increasing,» Keith Peterman, a professor of chemistry at York College of Pennsylvania, and his research partner, Gregory Foy, an associate professor of chemistry at York College of Pennsylvania, told Live Science in a joint email message.90003 90002 CO2 makes its way into the atmosphere through a variety of routes. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2 and is, by far, the biggest U.S. contribution to emissions that warm the globe. According to the 2018 EPA report, U.S. fossil fuel combustion, including electricity generation, released just over 5.8 billion tons (5.3 billion metric tons) of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2016. Other processes — such as nonenergy use of fuels, iron and steel production, cement production, and waste incineration — boost the total annual CO2 release in the U.S. to 7 billion tons (6.5 billion metric tons). 90003 90002 Deforestation is also a large contributor to excess CO2 in the atmosphere. In fact, deforestation is the second largest anthropogenic (human-made) source of carbon dioxide, according to research published by Duke University. After trees die, they release the carbon they have stored during photosynthesis. According to the 2010 Global Forest Resources Assessment, deforestation releases nearly a billion tons of carbon into the atmosphere per year.90003 90002 Globally, methane is the second most common greenhouse gas, but it is the most efficient at trapping heat. The EPA reports that methane is 25 times more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. In 2016, the gas accounted for about 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. 90003 90002 90003 Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas and the most persistent. Cattle constitute the largest single source of methane production. (Image credit: Shutterstock) 90002 Methane can come from many natural sources, but humans cause a large portion of methane emissions through mining, the use of natural gas, the mass raising of livestock and the use of landfills.Cattle constitute the largest single source of methane in the U.S., according to the EPA, with the animals producing nearly 26% of total methane emissions. 90003 90002 There are some hopeful trends in the numbers for U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. According to the 2018 EPA report, these emissions rose 2.4% between 1990 and 2016 but declined by 1.9% between 2015 and 2016. 90003 90002 Part of that decline was driven by a warm winter in 2016, which required less heating fuel than usual. But another significant reason for this recent decline is the replacement of coal with natural gas, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.The U.S. is also transitioning from a manufacturing-based economy to a less carbon-intensive service economy. Fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficiency standards for buildings have also improved emissions, according to the EPA. 90003 90008 Effects of global warming 90009 90002 Global warming does not just mean warming, which is why «climate change» has become the favored term among researchers and policymakers. While the globe is becoming hotter on average, this temperature increase can have paradoxical effects, such as more frequent and severe snowstorms.Climate change can and will affect the globe in several big ways: by melting ice, by drying out already-arid areas, by causing weather extremes and by disrupting the delicate balance of the oceans. 90003 90002 90053 Melting ice 90054 90003 90002 Perhaps the most visible effect of climate change so far is the melting of glaciers and sea ice. The ice sheets have been retreating since the end of the last ice age, about 11,700 years ago, but the last century’s warming has hastened their demise. A 2016 study found that there is a 99% chance that global warming has caused the recent retreat of glaciers; in fact, the research showed, these rivers of ice retreated 10 to 15 times the distance they would have if the climate had stayed stable.Glacier National Park in Montana had 150 glaciers in the late 1800s. Today, it has 26. The loss of glaciers can cause the loss of human life, when icy dams holding back glacier lakes destabilize and burst or when avalanches caused by unstable ice bury villages. 90003 90002 At the North Pole, warming is proceeding twice as quickly as it is at middle latitudes, and the sea ice is showing the strain. Fall and winter ice in the Arctic hit record lows in both 2015 and 2016, meaning the ice expanse did not cover as much of the open sea as previously observed.According to NASA, the 13 smallest values ​​for maximum winter extent of sea ice in the Arctic were all measured in the last 13 years. The ice also forms later in the season and melts more readily in spring. According to the 90015 National Snow and Ice Data Center 90016, January sea ice extent has declined 3.15% per decade over the past 40 years. Some scientists think the Arctic Ocean will see ice-free summers within 20 or 30 years. 90003 90002 In the Antarctic, the picture has been a little less clear.The Western Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than anywhere else besides some parts of the Arctic, according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. The peninsula is where the Larsen C ice shelf just broke in July 2017, spawning an iceberg the size of Delaware. Now, scientists say that a 90015 quarter of West Antarctica’s ice is in danger of collapse 90016 and the enormous Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers are flowing five times faster than they did in 1992. 90003 90002 The sea ice off Antarctica is extremely variable, though, and some areas have actually hit record highs in recent years.However, those records could bear the fingerprints of climate change, as they may result from land-based ice moving out to sea as the glaciers melt or from warming-related changes to wind. In 2017, though, this pattern of record-high ice abruptly reversed, with the occurrence of a record low. On March 3 2017, Antarctic sea ice was measured at an extent of 71,000 square miles (184,000 square kilometers) less than the previous low, from 1997. 90003 90002 90053 Heating up 90054 90003 90002 Global warming will change things between the poles, too .Many already-dry areas are expected to get even drier as the world warms. The southwest and central plains of the United States, for example, are expected to experience decades-long «megadroughts» harsher than anything else in human memory. 90003 90002 «The future of 90015 drought 90016 in western North America is likely to be worse than anybody has experienced in the history of the United States,» Benjamin Cook, a climate scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City who published research in 2015 projecting these droughts, told Live Science.»These are droughts that are so far beyond our contemporary experience that they are almost impossible to even think about.» 90003 90002 The study predicted an 85% chance of droughts lasting at least 35 years in the region by 2100. The main driver, the researchers found, is the increasing evaporation of water from hotter and hotter soil. Much of the precipitation that does fall in these arid regions will be lost. 90003 90002 Meanwhile, 2014 research found that many areas will likely see less rainfall as the climate warms.Subtropical regions, including the Mediterranean, the Amazon, Central America and Indonesia, will likely be hardest hit, that study found, while South Africa, Mexico, western Australia and California will also dry out. 90003 90002 90053 Extreme weather 90054 90003 90002 Another impact of global warming: extreme weather. Hurricanes and typhoons are expected to become more intense as the planet warms. Hotter oceans evaporate more moisture, which is the engine that drives these storms. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that even if the world diversifies its energy sources and transitions to a less fossil-fuel-intensive economy (known as the A1B scenario), tropical cyclones are likely to be up to 11% more intense on average.That means more wind and water damage on vulnerable coastlines. 90003 90002 Paradoxically, climate change may also cause more frequent extreme snowstorms. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, extreme snowstorms in the eastern United States have become twice as common as they were in the early 1900s. Here again, this change comes because warming ocean temperatures lead to increased evaporation of moisture into the atmosphere. This moisture powers storms that hit the continental United States.90003 90002 90053 Ocean disruption 90054 90003 90002 Some of the most immediate impacts of global warming are beneath the waves. Oceans act as carbon sinks, which means they absorb dissolved carbon dioxide. That’s not a bad thing for the atmosphere, but it is not great for the marine ecosystem. When carbon dioxide reacts with seawater, the pH of the water declines (that is, it becomes more acidic), a process known as 90015 ocean acidification 90016. This increased acidity eats away at the calcium carbonate shells and skeletons that many ocean organisms depend on for survival.These creatures include shellfish, pteropods and corals, according to NOAA. 90003 90002 Corals, in particular, are the canary in a coal mine for climate change in the oceans. Marine scientists have observed alarming levels of 90015 coral bleaching 90016, events in which coral expel the symbiotic algae that provide the coral with nutrients and give them their vivid colors. Bleaching occurs when corals are stressed, and stressors can include high temperatures. In 2016 and 2017, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef experienced back-to-back bleaching events.Coral can survive bleaching, but repeated bleaching events make survival less and less likely. 90003 90002 90003 One of the most visible effects of global warming is the prevalence of coral bleaching. (Image credit: Shutterstock) 90008 There was not a climate hiatus 90009 90002 Despite overwhelming scientific consensus about the causes and reality of global warming, the issue is contentious politically. For instance, deniers of climate change have argued that warming slowed between 1998 and 2012 a phenomenon known as the «climate change hiatus.»90003 90002 Unfortunately for the planet, the hiatus never happened. Two studies, one published in the journal 90015 Science 90016 in 2015 and one published in 2017 in the journal 90015 Science Advances 90016, reanalyzed the ocean temperature data that showed the warming slowdown and found that it was a mere measurement error. Between the 1950s and 1990s, most measurements of ocean temperature were taken aboard research boats. Water would be pumped into pipes through the engine room, which ended up heating the water slightly.After the 1990s, scientists began using ocean buoy-based systems, which were more accurate, to measure ocean temperatures. The problem came because no one corrected for the change in measurements between boats and buoys. Making those corrections showed that the oceans warmed 0.22 degrees F (0.12 degrees C) on average per decade since 2000, almost twice as fast as earlier estimates of 0.12 degrees F (0.07 degrees C) per decade. 90003 90008 Global warming fast facts 90009 90002 According to NASA: 90003 90118 90119 Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are 412 ppm in 2020 року, their highest levels in 650,000 years.90120 90119 Average global temperature is up 1.9 degrees F (3.4 degrees C) since 1880. 90120 90119 The minimum expanse of Arctic summer sea ice has declined 12.85% per decade since satellite measurements began, in 1979. 90120 90119 Land ice has declined at the poles by 413 gigatons a year since 2002. 90120 90119 Global sea level has risen 7 inches (176 millimeters) in the past century. 90120 90129 90002 90053 Additional resources: 90054 90003 .