A rise of global temperatures, warming oceans, shrinking ice sheets, declining Arctic sea ice and sea levels rising. These are just a few of many effects that arise from global warming.

Global warming is defined as a gradual increase in the overall temperature of Earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and other pollutants. According to NASA, Earth has been getting warmer, from the North Pole to the South Pole. The year 2014 marked the hottest year of Earth’s modern existence.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, global warming is a necessary part of an inhabitable planet. If there wasn’t any global warming, the planet would be too cold to live on. On the other hand, which is the problem Earth faces, the planet could be getting too hot. When not careful, the dangers of global warming could become worse.

Carbon dioxide, along with other greenhouse gasses, have been put into air after the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels range from oil to coal, and they produce tons of greenhouse gasses when burned.

“We are putting too much carbon in the atmosphere, which is affecting the climate,” science teacher Elizabeth Hobbs said.

Global warming has many problems that come with it. Weather becomes more severe and changes the whole world’s environment. Every animal in the world has to adjust, yet some can’t always adjust properly.

“A lot of animals that are really unique aren’t able to adapt to that new environment, and animals that are adapted to that can take advantage,” Hobbs said.

As a result, certain animal populations have decreased for the past 100 years. According to the National Science Foundation, the number of Adélie penguins in Antarctica have decreased from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years. Some believe the same thing could happen to humans when ignoring these facts, especially as millions of people have already become homeless as a result of flooding.

“Ocean waters rising affect people that live on the coast or on islands. Their homes could be destroyed,” Hobbs said.

Over 100 million people living in coastal regions will be displaced by just a one-yard rise in sea levels.

Furthermore, climate change could cost more than $100 billion each year between the cost of crop loss, rising sea levels destroying land, higher temperatures and fresh water shortages. This estimate does not take into account the catastrophic events that scientists are predicting: more frequent and bigger floods and storms.

“It makes me sad to know millions of people are losing their homes, but in a way we did it to ourselves,” senior Danielle Voelkerding said. “Everyone has told us for years that global warming exists, but have we done anything about it? No.”

While many people still debate the validity of global warming, others firmly not only believe it, but believe it could change the world.

As Hobbs said, “Climate change is very important, [and it] is going to really have an impact on people.”