2023 was the hottest year on record yet, with an average temperature of about 59 degrees Fahrenheit, which is .17 degrees higher than the previous year. Ever since the 1980’s and 90’s, global temperatures have started increasing at higher rates than in the years before. This is due to a combination of volcanic activity and higher levels of carbon emissions. Many factors go into the increase of global warming, including southern oscillation, jet streams and carbon emissions.
Southern oscillation, otherwise known as “El Niño,” is a phenomenon where the surface of the Pacific Ocean gets warm due to increased rainfall, so the wind starts blowing west instead of east, causing warmer temperatures and more humidity. Its opposite effect, “La Niña,” is when there is little rainfall in the Pacific Ocean, causing the winds to blow more strongly east. This often creates more cold outbreaks than what is seen during “El Niño.” The rising of global temperatures has expanded the effects of “El Niño” and “La Niña,” causing more extreme hot and cold weather.
Jet streams have also been greatly impacted by global warming. One of the most common jet streams is the polar vortex, which is a band of cold air that gathers around the North Pole every year. Because of the average temperature increase, the polar vortex has become disrupted. As more warm air moves up into the polar vortex, the jet stream of cold air gets pushed south into North America and Europe, causing bursts of subarctic temperatures and storms.
Carbon emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are greenhouse gases released by human activities. These greenhouse gases trap heat near the surface of the Earth, causing the temperature to rise. Because of the excess amount of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, too much heat has been accumulating in the atmosphere, causing average temperatures to rise at a fast rate.
In an effort to combat the rising temperatures, many people have resorted to using fluorescent lights and driving less to limit the amount of carbon emissions. Though these are some of many helpful ways to reduce carbon emissions, the process of preventing and reversing global warming continues to be an uphill battle.