The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is driving climate change at an unprecedented rate.
According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with the global average temperature anomaly reaching 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels.
Global warming has now become a major threat in the climate crisis, with increasingly alarming and tangible impacts. These are clear signs of change, and we are already experiencing their effects today.
What Are the Warning Signs of Worsening Global Warming?
The impacts of global warming should not be underestimated. If left unchecked, it could severely damage human life, natural ecosystems, and biodiversity.
Here are five signs that clearly show how global warming is intensifying:
1. Rising Global Average Temperatures
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 2023 report, the global average surface temperature has increased by approximately 1.09 °C (with a range of 0.95–1.20 °C) compared to the pre-industrial period.
This condition is driven by the rising concentration of greenhouse gases, primarily caused by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial operations.
Read More: Why Cutting Carbon Emissions Is Critical for the Planet’s Future?
2. Extreme Weather Events
Higher global temperatures disrupt atmospheric and oceanic systems, leading to extreme weather patterns—rising sea surface temperatures, prolonged droughts, and earlier snowmelts.
These changes exacerbate disaster-prone areas, increase the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue, and strain public health systems.
Extreme weather events are no longer isolated phenomena—they’re a real and growing threat to environmental resilience, public health, and economic stability.
3. Melting Polar Ice
Warming caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases is accelerating the melting of polar ice, particularly in the Arctic.
Sea ice and glaciers are disappearing at a rate much faster than historical averages. As land ice melts, it releases freshwater into oceans, causing global sea levels to rise.
This threatens low-lying coastal regions and small islands while disrupting global climate systems.
Read More: The Main Causes of Climate Change and Its Devastating Impact on Earth
4. Shifting Seasonal and Climate Patterns
Greenhouse gases naturally help stabilize the Earth’s temperature. However, emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation have drastically increased their concentrations, causing rapid climate shifts.
Over the past 10,000 years, global temperatures rose by about 3°C to 8°C, but at a slow, natural pace. In contrast, nearly 1.2°C of warming has occurred in just one century, highlighting an alarming acceleration.
This warming disrupts seasonal and climate patterns, threatening agriculture, water supply, and increasing the risk of floods.
5. Ecosystem Disruptions and Species Extinction
Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and changing seasons threaten natural habitats—some are degraded, while others vanish completely.
Species extinction doesn’t just mean a loss of individual organisms—it weakens the entire ecosystem web.
Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem health, and the loss of even one species can cause cascading effects on many others.
Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?
The Role of LNG in Tackling Global Warming
In the global push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down global warming, cleaner and more efficient energy sources are urgently needed.
This is where Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plays a strategic role as a transitional fuel toward a more sustainable energy future. Compared to coal, LNG emits about 50% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) when burned.
As the cleanest fossil fuel, LNG provides a practical solution for sectors like industry, transportation, and power generation to cut carbon footprints—even before renewable energy systems are fully in place.
Many countries have already incorporated LNG into their sustainable energy policies. It is often considered a “bridge fuel” due to its immediate applicability with existing technology.
