Temperature increase is the primary direct impact of increased greenhouse gases in the atmposphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapour and methane act as a blanket in the earth's atmosphere, trapping a higher level of the sun's energy, causing increases in atmospheric temperatures. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I (WGI) Fourth Assessment Report, from 1850 to 2005, the average global temperature increased by about 0.76ºC. This assessment also predicts a further increase in temperatures of 1.4°C to 5.8°C by 2100.
Increases in atmospheric temperature as a primary impact of increased greenhouse gas concentrations has multiple secondary impacts which further impact temperatures and the operations of multiple earth systems. This is described in more detail here.
Source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio. Data provided by Robert B. Schmunk (NASA/GSFC GISS)
Source: Hay Festival, NERC
.jpg)