How do we know the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing? Scientists measure the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in several ways. They use satellites and other instruments to measure the amount of greenhouse gases in the air all around the world. They also collect samples of air from specific places and then analyze these samples in a laboratory.

The Earth also gives us clues about the levels of greenhouse gases that existed in the past. For example, ancient air bubbles trapped deep in the ice of Greenland and Antarctica reveal how much carbon dioxide was present long ago. Current levels of carbon dioxide are much higher than any other time period shown in this graph.

Scientists can compare the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today with the amount of carbon dioxide trapped in ancient ice cores. These cores show that the atmosphere had less carbon dioxide in the past.

Scientists have carefully examined all this evidence and made a startling discovery. There's more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere now than at any other time in at least 650,000 years! And the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is continuing to increase.



Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the key to solving global climate change. A major way these gases get into the atmosphere is when people burn coal, oil, and natural gas for energy. Everyone uses energy, and everyone can be part of the solution!

But don't forget that climate change is already happening. We're seeing some of the impacts now, and we'll experience more in the future. So we need to prepare and plan for the changes we know are coming.

To successfully fight climate change, people will have to change the ways in which they get energy. They will have to switch from getting most of their energy from burning fossil fuels to getting most of their energy from a wide variety of clean energy sources.

Many of these technologies are already available today. Others are still being developed and tested. Clean energy technologies like wind and solar power produce energy without burning fossil fuels. Other technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency or by capturing these gases before they can enter the atmosphere.

Can one person help stop global climate change? Yes! Especially when the simple steps you, your friends, and your family take are multiplied by millions of people all over the world. You can switch to clean energy, use less energy, travel green, watch your water use, and reduce waste. You can take simple steps like turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or reusing a container instead of throwing it out. You can also talk to your family about switching to green energy.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases have been building up in the atmosphere. This means that climate change is already happening, and more changes are in store. While it's important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, changes to the climate have already begun, and more changes will happen in the future.

That's why it's so important for people to plan for the impacts of climate change. Planning now will help keep societies healthy and strong. Planning will make it easier for people to successfully adapt to the changes that lie ahead.

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Select ALL the correct answers.
Which two statements from the passage best support the idea that there are ways to reduce greenhouse emissions?
Clean energy technologies like wind and solar power produce energy without burning fossil fuels.
They use satellites and other instruments to measure the amount of greenhouse gases in the air all around the world.
These cores show that the atmosphere had less carbon dioxide in the past.
While it's important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ch