In recent years, natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and floods have become more destructive. According to a recent report by the United Nations, those disasters will likely get worse unless people act fast.
Scientists believe the alarming trend is due to human activity. When people burn coal and gasoline for fuel, greenhouse gases are released. Those gases trap the sun’s energy in Earth’s atmosphere, causing the planet to warm up. Higher temperatures lead to extreme weather events, says climate scientist Michael Mann.
People and governments can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable forms of energy, like wind or solar power. “It is not too late, but it is urgent we act now,” says Mann.