6 gifs that show climate change over the past 140 years

NASA selected videos that show how the main changes in the ecosystem of our planet occurred in the last two centuries.

140 years of study

Since 1880, studies have recorded consistent temperature data across the globe, and it is clear that the globe was colder in the past. Temperatures began to rise rapidly from the 1970s – as a result of the uncontrolled emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

2010

The last decade was considered the hottest on record. From 2010 to 2019, the global temperature remained 1ºC higher than at the end of the 19th century. Also, 2016 and 2019 were the warmest years of all recorded years.

90%

As the Earth warms, the polar ice melts at an advanced speed. The Arctic is heating up even faster than the rest of the planet. Last summer in the Northern Hemisphere, 90% of the surface of Greenland’s ice sheet melted.

20 centimeters

Melting ice increases sea levels around the world. And in addition to the melting of ice in the ocean, heat also increases the volume that water occupies. Since 1880, sea levels worldwide have increased by approximately 20 centimeters, although regional rates of sea-level rise can be even higher.

More than 100 fires

As the temperature increases, the outbreaks of fire increase. During June and July 2019, more than 100 long-lasting, intense forest fires occurred in the northern arctic circle. This was also a year of intense fires that broke records in Australia.

Increase in CO2 levels

This warming trend is the result of a 46% increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere – gases that intensify the greenhouse effect released irresponsibly by human activities.