An introduction to climate change in 60 seconds

Climate science explained in 60 seconds by the Royal Society and the US National Academy of Sciences.

During the last 200 years, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels have increased concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere by 40%. If unchecked, continuing emissions will warm up the planet by 2.6°C to 4.8°C by the end of this century. This would have serious implications for human societies and the natural world.

This 60-second animation from the world's two leading science academies brings you the science behind climate change.

Looking for more?
- How confident are scientists that Earth will warm further over the coming century?
- Are climate changes of a few degrees a cause for concern?
- Climate is always changing. Why is climate change of concern now?

Get a quick guide to the frequently asked questions about climate science on our website. Accessible, informative and up-to-date:

The full document 'Climate Change: Evidence & Causes' is available to read on the Royal Society website:
https://royalsociety.org/policy/projects/climate-evidence-causes/

As the sun's rays reach
the Earth's surface

some are absorbed and re-emitted as heat

greenhouse gases such as water
vapor and carbon dioxide

absorb and re-radiate some of this heat

increased amounts of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere mean more

heat is trapped

warming the Earth

human activities

especially the burning of fossil
fuels have increased

concentrations of atmospheric
carbon dioxide by 40%

mainly since 1900

global average surface temperature
has increased by 0.8° C over that time

Other changes to the climate
in recent decades,

can be seen in the warming of the oceans.

A rise in sea level

decreasing snow and ice cover
in the northern hemisphere

and a decline in sea ice in the Arctic.

If emissions continue unchecked
then further warming of 2.6 to 4.8° C

would be expected by
the end of the century.

Even at the low end.

This would have serious implications
for human societies

and the natural world.

For more information about climate
change from leading science academies,

please visit

royalsociety.org/climatechange

or nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices