If the temperature of the earth has been higher than it is now before, why are we so worried about it?

Question: If the temperature of the earth has been higher than it is now before, why are we so worried about it?
- Keywords:
  climate change,
  global warming,
  history
Asked by anon-376455 on 27 Nov 2023.
- Hazel Jeffery answered on 27 Nov 2023:
  
  That’s right the temperature has been higher in the past. But we didn’t have 8 billion people living on Earth then, and a lot of those people live in vulnerable areas that will be more affected by the impact of climate change (flooding, heatwaves, droughts etc.). The difference now is that humans are causing rapid climate change, it is happening very quickly due to burning fossil fuels and we don’t fully know what will happen as a result of making this change much faster than has happened before – but that is what teams of scientists are working on right now. Check out science sites like the Met Office in the UK to learn more about climate change, https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/met-office-for-schools/themes-for-7-11/climate-change unfortunately what gets reported in some newspapers is not very accurate and can be misinformation.
- Octavia Brayley answered on 27 Nov 2023: last edited 27 Nov 2023 1:23 pm
  
  Great question! And you are absolutely right- Earth’s temperature has always fluctuated throughout history, but these changes were natural and not man-made. The reason why we’re worried now is because the temperature is rising faster than it ever has in history. In only 200 years since the Industrial Revolution (1850-1760), global temperatures have risen by about 1.1ºC which is a lot. Animals adapt to changing conditions through evolution, but this takes thousands and millions of years, so many animals will not be able to adapt to the warmer climate and the extreme change over only 200 years. Not only is climate change impacting animals, but humans are also going to be at risk of some of the effects. Important crops won’t be able to grow in some countries, diseases that are confined to tropical areas will be able to spread around the world, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent (like storms and flooding) which will impact people’s homes. Sea levels are also rising due to the melting of ice caps which will lead to the loss of some low-lying islands, meaning destruction of habitats for both animals and people. We also know that modern climate change is caused by human activity and the burning of fossil fuels, so we have a moral obligation to try and fix things! Here’s a video about the history of the climate:
- Ian McKinley answered on 27 Nov 2023:
  
  In addition to the other good answers, it should be noted that increasing temperature is only one of the impacts of over-population – which is causing also extensive pollution, loss of diversity, increased pandemic risks… All of this coming together results in environmental degradation to an extent that has not been seen since the evolution of humanity and this is extremely worrying.
- Paula McMahon answered on 27 Nov 2023:
  
  The speed this is happening is not allowing nature to evolve. When the planet was hotter before there was very little life and no people – we cannot survive it too hot as we won’t have adequate food/water and weather will create lots of problems
- Jonathan Allen answered on 28 Nov 2023:
  
  Great answers already. The only thing I would add is the fact that the temperature is rising now in an upward trend and the reason for that is humankind driving global warming and climate change. So, the reason why we should be worried about it now is that it is an unnatural temperature rise that is our own doing, so we need to be the ones who do something about it to stop it continuing to unsustainable levels.
- Amy Stockwell answered on 28 Nov 2023:
  
  In addition to the other fab answers, we have breed crops to grow in certain conditions. As it gets hotter, those crops won’t be able to grow. We will be able to do some plant breeding, but still crops need a certain amount of water.
- Andrew Lyon answered on 29 Nov 2023:
  
  Lots of great answers already.
  
  I’d say because it’s happening quickly and there are lots of consequences. It’s causing ice melt which in turn is causing sea levels to rise which has affected some low lying islands and will continue to affect low lying land. Rising sea levels also increase coastal erosion and the risk of storm surges.
  
  We’re seeing extreme weather more frequently and there have been significant impacts in countries like Somalia, climate change has increased drought and consequently the ability to grow food.