Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems - AQAEvidence for global warming
Biodiversity is a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem. Human activities like changing land use, deforestation and peat bog destruction reduce this.
For many years the evidence that linked increased carbon dioxide levels to the greenhouse effectThe retention of heat in the atmosphere caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases. and global warmingThe rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface. was not enough to convince everyone. In recent years more and more evidence has been collected and many scientists believe that this is the case. The evidence used by scientists is 'peer reviewed' by other scientists, which is the method used by the science community to ensure that research findings are valid. Peer review ensures that the science community are confident in the accuracy of data and any conclusions made.
Berkeley Earth in the USA have recorded the top ten hottest years since 1850. They are shown in the table below and put in order of the warmest. The increase is that above the average temperature between 1850 and 1900.
Rank
Year
Increase (°C)
1
2024
1.62
2
2023
1.53
3
2016
1.36
4
2020
1.36
5
2019
1.33
6
2017
1.27
7
2022
1.24
8
2015
1.23
9
2021
1.20
10
2018
1.19
Rank
1
Year
2024
Increase (°C)
1.62
Rank
2
Year
2023
Increase (°C)
1.53
Rank
3
Year
2016
Increase (°C)
1.36
Rank
4
Year
2020
Increase (°C)
1.36
Rank
5
Year
2019
Increase (°C)
1.33
Rank
6
Year
2017
Increase (°C)
1.27
Rank
7
Year
2022
Increase (°C)
1.24
Rank
8
Year
2015
Increase (°C)
1.23
Rank
9
Year
2021
Increase (°C)
1.20
Rank
10
Year
2018
Increase (°C)
1.19
More evidence for global warming is shown at this link.
