Over the history of this planet’s existence the climate has changed numerous times. This is possible from the result of volcanic eruptions that were able to change the orbit of the earth and therefore the amount of the sun’s energy which then affects the climate. You may be familiar with the ice age and long periods of warmth, well today the climate is beginning to change once again and although we have not learned from history, there are many things each individual can do to prevent drastic climate changes like we have seen in the past. Learning how the climate change can affect you is essential for everyone in the world today.

There are no doubts that since as far back as the industrial resolution, the actions of humans on earth have been consistently contributing to the destruction of the environment and therefore the climate change. These activities and the constant burning of fossil fuels have encouraged the trapping of heat gases such as greenhouse gases within the atmosphere. These gases then prevent the heat from escaping as they are meant to into space in the same way a literal greenhouse maintains heat within its structure. Global warming is by far the most severe form of climate change the world has ever seen.

According to data from NASA we have experienced two of the hottest years on record within the past decade, 1998 and 2005. For over 9years consecutively we have been experiencing temperatures in the top 25 on record for warmth and this is more than a coincidence.

According to a study completed by researchers and scientists at MIT there has been a 100% increase in the intensity and duration of severe storms such as hurricanes and tornadoes since the 1970s. The study found that this is most likely due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions which is then increasing the temperature of the earth. According to the National Climactic Data Centre estimates, $100 billion of damage was caused by hurricanes hitting the U.S. coast in 2005 alone.

The increase in severity of the hurricanes and tropical storms is most likely due to the increase of CO2 emissions, which heats up the Earth's near-surface temperatures. In fact, the average surface temperature has increased by about 0.6 C (1.0 F) over the last 100 years. This is likely why snow cover and ice extent have decreased over the past few decades.

Although the entire world is suffering from the effects of global warming, each area endures different effects and levels. Take a look at the graph below for further details.

The United States has been ranked in more studies than one to be the largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions. The USA contributes 25% of emissions into the atmosphere even though the U.S. only makes up 5% of the world's population. This provides more evidence that the U.S. Government must do more to combat global warming. The fact that there have been no bills passed by the U.S. Congress to cut global warming pollution is a sign that the government is not fully taking responsibility for their contributions to this worldwide crisis.

Understanding the statistics of global warming is the key to understanding how to properly take preventative action. Charts and graphs like the ones pasted above are visual aids to help you see what we are doing to the environment and convince those who do not believe in global warming that it does exist. Not only does global warming exist but its intensity is increasing and the statistics within this article show this quite blatantly.

Not only is the climate beginning to change but this is the first factor in a downward spiral of events. What are being affected as a result of the higher temperatures are the sea levels throughout the world. As the temperatures become warmer and warmer the glaciers are beginning to melt more and more in the Arctic and then causing the sea levels to rise. Stats are showing that the ocean levels will rise by at least 3ft in the future and this is enough to wipe out many of the subtropical islands of the world.

Always make sure that the facts you are researching are reliable and accurate before making any decisions about global warming because too many people are investing their beliefs in myths and conspiracy theories today.