Can we stop burning fossil fuels? Across Europe, and from California to China, temperatures are rising during a long heatwave.
X
Next
Thousands flee as Greece goes up in flames
Can we stop burning fossil fuels? Across Europe, and from California to China, temperatures are rising during a long heatwave.
X
PreviousNext
What's happening?
More than 1,000 children had to leave the summer camp in GreeceA country in southeastern Europe with a population of more than 10 million. as the wildfireAn uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming. got closer.
Wildfires are burning across Greece. The country is in the middle of a heatwaveA period of abnormally hot weather. and fires are starting easily.
It is not just Greece that is in trouble. People in Italy, Spain and other countries are all facing extremeVery great, or beyond what is expected. heat. One place in SicilyThe largest island in the Mediterranean. It is part of Italy. even reached 46.3C.
And outside of EuropeThe second-smallest of the world's continents. It has a population of 746 million. , the temperature reached 52C in both the USA and China.
Most people agree that climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change. is causing the world to get hotter. Today, scientists think this may be the hottest it has been on Earth for 125,000 years.
Find out more
But there is an answer, scientists say. If we stopped burning fossil fuelsFuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming. now, we could stop global warmingThe Earth is getting hotter due to climate change. from getting worse. This is possible, experts say, because we have other options for making energy, like solarTo do with the sun. and wind power.
Can we stop burning fossil fuels?
Yes! We have everything we need to stop burning fossil fuels and start making energy in different ways. It is time to act to slow down global warming.
No! The companies that burn fossil fuels have a lot of power. And lots of people around the world rely on the energy made by burning fossil fuels.
X
Previous
Keywords
Greece - A country in southeastern Europe with a population of more than 10 million.
Wildfire - An uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming.
Heatwave - A period of abnormally hot weather.
Extreme - Very great, or beyond what is expected.
Sicily - The largest island in the Mediterranean. It is part of Italy.
Europe - The second-smallest of the world's continents. It has a population of 746 million.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Global warming - The Earth is getting hotter due to climate change.
Solar - To do with the sun.
Thousands flee as Greece goes up in flames
Costly: In 2021 Greece set aside £420m for wildfire compensation. Glossary
Greece - A country in southeastern Europe with a population of more than 10 million.
Wildfire - An uncontrolled fire that burns in a forest, grassland, or other sparsely populated area. Wildfires are becoming more common with global warming.
Heatwave - A period of abnormally hot weather.
Extreme - Very great, or beyond what is expected.
Sicily - The largest island in the Mediterranean. It is part of Italy.
Europe - The second-smallest of the world's continents. It has a population of 746 million.
Climate change - Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change.
Fossil fuels - Fuels made from decomposing plants and animals, including coal, natural gas and oil. These fuels release carbon dioxide, causing global warming.
Global warming - The Earth is getting hotter due to climate change.
Solar - To do with the sun.