Discussion Topic The global climate is changing, and this change is apparent across many of Earth’s subsystems. Multiple sources attribute the global warming of the past 50 years to human activity and influence. Activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas release carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere. These heat-trapping “greenhouse gases” have increased global temperatures and caused changes such as melting glaciers and powerful storms. These changes are happening because Earth's air, water, and land are all linked to its climate.

How do you think greenhouse gas emissions and global climate will change during the next 50 years? If greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures continue rising, what other changes might you expect to see throughout the world? Humans are working to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, but are their current solutions going to make a big enough impact? In addition to reducing human dependence on fossil fuels, what other solutions could help combat greenhouse gas emissions and global warming?