16.2 Changes in Global Climate When compared with the average temperatures of the years 1901–2000,
average global temperatures have increased over the past couple of decades. This phenomenon has become known as ‘global warming’. Sixteen of the last seventeen hottest years have occurred since the year 2000, with 2016 being the hottest yet.
Looking at the period 1900– 2016, how many years have had temperatures above average?
Go to YouTube and look up ‘Temperature anomalies arranged by country 1900–2016’ (0:34) to see a worrying video showing the changes in world temperature over this timeframe.
1. Describe how scientists discover what temperatures were like prior to the 1900s.
2. What is climate change? 3. What evidence is there to show that global warming is occurring?
