Mother Earth is often taken advantage of by its inhabitants, so in order to care for it, we need to be aware of the climate change facts before it is too late. The Earth is constantly changing and so is our climate. Be informed and spread awareness. Here are 7 climate change effects and facts. 7 Climate Change Facts To Know And Its Effect On Us 1. It's Getting Warmer Every year, the temperature in all parts of the world is getting higher. Since the 1950s, atmospheric CO2 levels are sharply rising and continues to grow. 2016 was the hottest year since 1880, as recorded by both National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. 2. The Arctic is Melting The Arctic sea is greatly affected by the rapid and continuous rise in temperature. Because of this, ice and glaciers are melting, which causes avalanches, rise in sea level, and the displacement and starvation of animals in the area. This year, NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) have both announced the Arctic sea ice maximum record low for three consecutive years. 3. Sea Levels are Rapidly Rising Because the Arctic is melting, the surrounding sea levels are increasing. Every year, the sea level rises at least 3.4 mm. In fact, just July this year, the Larsen C ice shelf has cracked, which created a trillion-tonne iceberg. Mother Nature is unpredictable. Be prepared for whatever may come your way way this season and check out our 10 blizzard survival tips on our website (link in bio). | : ctto A post shared by Homesteading (@homesteadingusa) on Feb 2, 2017 at 1:27am PST 4. Ocean Acidification is Getting Worse Ocean acidification (OA) occurs when the seawater's pH is reduced through chemical reactions. This happens when seawater absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels. The increased acidity will affect marine life such as corals and shellfish, and their ability to build protection. Corals are important because they provide shelter for a lot of sea creatures. 5. Coral Bleaching has Greatly Damaged The Great Barrier Reef One of the seven wonders of the natural world has reached its terminal stage due to coral bleaching. This is caused by global warming, which also affects sea surface temperatures. In April 2017, it was reported that two-thirds of The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been affected by back-to-back severe bleaching events. 6. Floods are Getting Worse Just a few weeks ago, Houston and nearby areas of Texas were hit by Hurricane Harvey. Floodwaters kept on rising which left several residents stranded and in danger. Houses, properties, and even lives were lost and destroyed. Unfortunately, according to a study by the World Resources Institute, the current number of people who are exposed to flooding every year, will soon triple. From 21 million, it is expected to increase up to 54 million by 2030. 7. Global Temperature Will Rise Up to Six Degrees As a result of the continuous release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, the Earth's temperature is expected to rise up to six degrees this century.   Watch this video from CNN for more climate change facts: Climate change is real and it affects each and every one of us who inhabit the Earth. So instead of ignoring all of these climate change facts, it may be better to make conscious moves and lifestyle decisions that benefit the environment and always be prepared in case of emergency situations. Here's the latest forecast at the climate change conference. Do you have other climate change facts to add? Share it with us in the comments section below! Up Next: A Brief History of Climate Change Denial: Part 2  Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!