5 Big Questions About Extreme Weather

Around the world, many people will remember 2021 for its extreme weather. This summer, heavy rains flooded towns and cities in several countries, including Germany, China, and the United States. Hundreds of people died, and thousands were left homeless. 

Meanwhile, a record heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest. In cities such as Seattle, Washington, temperatures soared more than 30 degrees above normal. The heat and a severe drought in several Western states helped spark wildfires that have burned up record amounts of land. 

Most climate scientists agree that these types of destructive weather events can be linked to climate change. That’s the gradual change in Earth’s average temperature and weather patterns.

Many people will remember 2021 for its extreme weather. This summer, heavy rains flooded towns and cities in several countries, including Germany, China, and the United States. Hundreds of people died. Thousands were left homeless.

Meanwhile, a record heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest. In cities such as Seattle, Washington, temperatures soared way above normal. The heat and a bad drought in several Western states helped spark wildfires. These fires have burned up large amounts of land. 

Most climate scientists agree that these types of destructive weather events can be linked to climate change. That’s the slow change in Earth’s average temperature and weather patterns.

No. There are records of huge floods and deadly dry spells that took place hundreds, and even thousands, of years ago. But according to climate scientists, these events are becoming more common. Experts say this is largely due to rising global temperatures brought on by climate change. All seven of the warmest years on record were from 2014 to 2020. 

“We expect that if Earth warms up more, we will get more heat waves, more floods in many places, and faster droughts,” says climate scientist Richard Alley. 

He and other experts predict that the intensity of major storms and other severe weather events will also increase.

No. There are records of huge floods and dry spells that took place long ago. But according to scientists, these events are becoming more common. Experts say this is largely due to rising global temperatures brought on by climate change. The seven warmest years on record were from 2014 to 2020. 

“We expect that if Earth warms up more, we will get more heat waves, more floods in many places, and faster droughts,” says climate scientist Richard Alley. 

He and other experts predict that the intensity of storms and other severe weather events will also increase.

It’s a natural process that has happened throughout Earth’s history. But most scientists agree that human activity is playing a big role in this current warming trend. For example, we depend on fossil fuels for most of our energy needs. Many power plants burn coal to create electricity. Cars and planes run on fuels made from oil. 

Burning fossil fuels releases what are called greenhouse gases. Experts say the increase of these gases in the atmosphere has led to a steady rise in Earth’s temperature.

It’s a natural process that has happened throughout Earth’s history. But most scientists agree that human activity is playing a big role in this current warming trend. For example, we depend on fossil fuels for most of our energy. Many power plants burn coal to create electricity. Cars and planes run on fuels made from oil. 

Burning fossil fuels releases what are called greenhouse gases. Experts say the increase of these gases in the atmosphere has led to a steady rise in Earth’s temperature.

Definitely not! In fact, without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold for humans, animals, and plants to survive. These gases, such as carbon dioxide, act like a blanket, trapping some of the sun’s heat in the atmosphere. This process is called the greenhouse effect.

Definitely not!  Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold. Humans, animals, and plants would not survive. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, act like a blanket. They trap some of the sun’s heat in the atmosphere. This process is called the greenhouse effect.

A changing climate doesn’t affect every place on Earth in the same way. As temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates from the land and seas. In some places, that extra moisture in the atmosphere leads to heavier rains and flooding. 

But the extra precipitation isn’t spread around the world evenly. Some areas get less rainfall, leading to longer, more severe droughts.

Scientists say reducing the amount of greenhouse gases we release would limit the effects of climate change.

“Our decisions will determine if this gets a lot worse,” Alley says. “We can build a better world.”

A changing climate doesn’t affect every place in the same way. As temperatures rise, more moisture evaporates from the land and seas. In some places, that extra moisture leads to heavier rains and flooding. 

But the extra precipitation isn’t spread around the world evenly. Some areas get less rainfall. That leads to longer droughts.

How can we limit the effects of climate change? Scientists say reducing the amount of greenhouse gases we release would help. “Our decisions will determine if this gets a lot worse,” Alley says. “We can build a better world.”

1. Why does the author mention the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest?

2. According to most climate scientists, how are humans contributing to Earth’s current warming trend?

3. What is the greenhouse effect?

1. Why does the author mention the 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest?

2. According to most climate scientists, how are humans contributing to Earth’s current warming trend?

3. What is the greenhouse effect?