


Many scientists believe that the Earth's temperature reached a record level in 2016 was, at least in part, to the very strong El Nino in the waters of the south-central Pacific Ocean that formed in 2015 and the increased greenhouse gases.

Glacial ice sheets likely reached all the way the equator producing a "Snowball Earth." Scientists believe that this massive ice age ended due to increased underground volcanic activity and, perhaps, a much warmer solar cycle. One of the most well-documented and largest, occurred from 850 to 630 million years ago, is called the Cryogenian period. Ocean sediments and fossils indicate that massive amounts of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere.īy contrast, evidence shows there have been at least five major ice ages on Planet Earth. Approximately 56 million years ago, our planet was in the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum as global mean temperatures were estimated as high as 73 degrees Fahrenheit, over 14 degrees above current levels. One period, which was probably the warmest, was during the Neoproterozoic around 600 to 800 million years ago. According to an article by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on in August, 2014, our planet likely experienced its hottest weather millions of years ago. Our planet seems to be in a cycle of constant change. However, some of the long-term warming and cooling of global temperatures may be the result of climatic cycles, solar activity, sea-surface temperature patterns and more. Yes, we believe we should be "going green" whenever and wherever possible. Mankind's activities of the burning of fossil fuels, massive deforestations, the replacing of grassy surfaces with asphalt and concrete, the "Urban Heat Island Effect" and more are creating extensive harmful pollution and leading to the additional warming of our planet. As of early 2022, the average global temperature was 2.17 degrees above the average temperature, the 7th warmest in history. Since that time, land and ocean readings have rebounded to the highest levels in recorded history in 2016 with a temperature of 58.69 degrees Fahrenheit. From August of 2007 through February of 2008, the Earth's mean temperature dropped slightly to about a half-degree above the 20th Century average of 57 degrees. Until late 2006, global temperatures were more than a degree Fahrenheit warmer when compared to the 20th Century average. To 2040 A.D.Ĭhart Updated: Januand Article updated: May 5, 2022
