Climate change in a nutshell

Climate change means the global rise in average temperatures of the air and the sea. According to the IPPC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), based on direct observations, the warming of the climate is an indisputable fact.   

Gases in the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect are called greenhouse gases. They create a natural greenhouse effect, without which the average temperature of the Earth would be 20-30 ºC cooler. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth could not support life. As far as volumes are concerned, CO² is the most significant man-made greenhouse gas. During the past 150 years, the CO² content in the atmosphere has increased by 31%, and the average temperature of the Earth’s surface has risen by 0.4-0.8 ºC. Experts estimate that the climate will warm by a further 0.2 – 0.4 ºC over the next decade. 

 As the greenhouse effect picks up strength, temperatures in regions near the equator will rise less, and those in regions near the poles will rise more. As temperatures rise, global rainfall will increase and the climate will become more volatile. Dry areas are expected to become even drier, and wet areas to become wetter. The power of thunderstorms will increase, and ferocious storms will become more common in areas where they were previously rare. As the climate changes, extreme weather conditions will also increase for traffic.