![Evidence of the Earth's rising temperature over the past decade (2000-2009). [Image via scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/1/19/660x290/b_502x220x82/evidence-of-the-earths-rising-temperature-over-the-past-decade-2000-2009-image-via-scientists-at-nasas-goddard-institute-for-space-studies_1785877.jpg "Evidence of the Earth's rising temperature over the past decade (2000-2009). [Image via scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies]")
The ending of 2017 has led to new findings that prove our planet's temperature is rising and the effects are costly. The evidence is right in front of us which is why it is so hard to believe 40 percent of U.S. citizens are currently #climate change deniers. 2017 produced new and stronger evidence through #natural disasters which have shown that our Earth is in fact dying. The scientific conclusions drawn from the devastation in 2017 alone should be more than enough to change the minds of skeptics everywhere.
El Niño's not to blame, it's climate change
A common excuse for climate deniers is the infamous ocean-atmosphere climate interaction, El Niño. Every 2-7 years there is a warming period in sea surface temperatures in the Central and East-Central Equatorial Pacific region. This phenomenon typically affects North America in the month of December causing rainy and unusually warm winters. The key to El Niño is that it does not occur every year, but every 2-7 years. With the latest technology in climate sciences.
it is possible to know when the planet is experiencing an El Niño. The last El Niño recorded lasted from 2014-2016. 2016's second-hottest year ever recorded rank may have something to do with this natural, recurring event, however, there was no El Niño in 2017 or in 2012; the hottest year ever recorded in the U.S.
In fact, years we experience La Niña, episodes of below-average sea temperatures, are now warmer years than that of El Niño years from 30 years ago.
Rising temperatures to blame for 2017's costly natural disasters
2017 has been the year of devastating natural disasters from coast-to-coast, becoming the costliest year ever recorded for natural disasters totaling approximately $306 billion in damages.
For the first time, recorded three Category 4 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. (Harvey, Irma, and Maria) all within a little over a single month's time. The strongest of these three was Hurricane Maria which is now classified as the most catastrophic hurricane on record in Dominica and Puerto Rico. As the west coast was set ablaze in the final months of 2017, climate change made itself known again to round off the third consecutive year of California's worst precipitation records.
The horrific tropical storms and droughts of 2017 should alert those who haven't been paying close enough attention to trust in the overwhelming evidence toward climate change. Our planet is heating up and unfortunately, this is only the beginning of calamitous years overcome with natural disasters. The storms will grow stronger and increase in number. The infamous California drought will never improve leading to more uncontrollable forest fires. Take action now and see how you can lower your negative effect on the environment personally and in the workplace.
