Latest news with #JustinLewis
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Open letter to Paula Slier
Paula Slier. (Wikipedia) Dear Ms Paula Slier, I have observed with a degree of bemusement your recent forays into the blogosphere of the Times of Israel. Having followed your international career, and even encountered your work on the local airwaves of Chai FM here in Johannesburg, I must confess to a certain level of disappointment at the spectacle that has unfolded. On 11 July 2025, you saw fit to amplify the extreme, dangerous and unsubstantiated assertions of one Justin Lewis. A mere two days later, you claim that this is 'a lobbying and advocacy effort based on unverified allegations'. But, instead of apologising to your readers for violating the most basic tenets of ethical journalism and taking steps to mitigate the damage you have caused, you chose once again to amplify these reckless allegations, vowing to pursue them, notwithstanding the lack of evidence. For the record, to say that these claims are unverified and baseless is a perfectly rational response to someone, like Mr Lewis, who clearly has a penchant for misinformation and lies. What is not rational is to ignore a growing body of evidence and information from experts in search of nonexistent evidence that South Africa could not have possibly conceived on its own the interpretation of upholding international law by invoking the provisions of the genocide convention. Just by way of desktop research you would have found this LinkedIn Post , which also has similar sensational claims about the first minister of Scotland. The 'information' you are referring to is an email to the an organisation referred to as the Media Research Council (MRC) in which, Mr Lewis commenced his missive with a litany of the following pronouncements: 'As a 'non-lawyer (I am a farmer by profession, entrepreneur by trade, and consultant to African health development projects in East Africa).' 'Some years ago Lloyds London and I were victims of court sanctioned insurance fraud in SA courts. During which time I worked with Chief Justice Chaskalson to Mogoeng Mogoeng. And the Leveson Inquiry, given the use of phone hacking to corrupt courts, which made Prince Harry's victory special.' 'I am a COE congregant who was privileged to consider the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu as a family friend, given our families long history with the Church.'' He then proceeded to tell the MRC: 'Evidence exists confirming that the SA government, led at that time by its main political party the African National Congress (ANC) knew about Hamas's sic) intended attack on the state of Israel before it happened in [sic] October 2023 and that elements within the SA government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (Dirco) (sic), actively encouraged and enjoined [sic] its support of Hamas political strategy by acting as its agent for access to the ICC and the ICJ, which access to the court (ICJ), Hamas did not have as a non-signatory, as alleged. 'As part of a political strategy, preparations were made prior to the 7 October atrocity against Israel, to put in place mechanisms to approach the ICC and ICJ for protection from the state of Israel's anticipated response. As a layman the example I use is that of assisting a neighbour to burn his house down, then rushing to court to claim insurance protection from your insurer (as your neighbour is a non-signatory).' One might reasonably be surprised that a mere email from a third party, clearly well-versed in the art of name-dropping luminaries — some, like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson, no longer with us, alongside the rather incongruous mention of British royalty and former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng — could trigger a media inquiry. My own rudimentary desktop research swiftly illuminated the gaping holes in Mr Lewis' narrative and credibility: The Leveson Inquiry was an event of seismic proportions, meticulously documented and still debated in the UK. Yet, Mr Lewis' supposed involvement remains conspicuously absent from any credible record. Mr Lewis styles himself a 'non-lawyer' yet claims to have 'worked with two chief justices' of our Republic. In what capacity? South African judges, by the very nature of our judicial system, do not conduct investigations, let alone work with members of the public directly on legal matters. His reference to a Lloyds of London case in our courts, supposedly 'precedent-setting', eludes all recollection, despite its globally recognised status. Furthermore, 'court sanctioned insurance fraud' is oxymoronic: one cannot be the victim of a 'court sanctioned' crime, if the court dismissed the claim it determined it was not a crime. In 2014: 'Lewis says Casisa is a private sector human rights lobby made up of victims of fraud committed upon the court. It has not yet been registered as a human rights organisation in the European Union.' But he made submissions to parliament claiming to be an NGO. In 2017: he stated, 'My name is Justin Lewis and I am a human rights lobbyist for a NGO in the process of being registered whose purpose is the defence of SA national institutions from corruption.' My response to the Independent Online was that it was regrettable they (Independent Online) would lend credence to such unsubstantiated, baseless and reckless claims from an unknown and unverified individual. The case of the unverified claims Your July 11 blog entry in the Times of Israel regrettably mirrored this precise misstep, granting oxygen to demonstrably unverified assertions. You further compounded the error by endorsing Mr Lewis's contention that the South African media had, in some grand conspiracy, ignored his 'information'. In doing so, you effectively impugned the integrity of our media as a whole, suggesting it functions as a purveyor of misinformation or propaganda. The consequence was the discrediting of the South African media by both yourself and Mr Lewis. Mercifully, as you concede, 'industry colleagues' swiftly disabused you of the notion that you were pioneering in platforming an individual with a demonstrated propensity for manufacturing fictional narratives, a propensity, I might add, easily discernible with the most elementary of desktop searches. As you presumably easily discovered, hence your 'clarification' a mere two days after publication. One might ask whether you undertook an elementary search of Mr Lewis before publishing your 11 July blog that relied entirely on his unsubstantiated claims. There is simply no good answer to that question for you, as a journalist, is no doubt ostensibly committed to 'verified facts, credible sources, and balanced reporting'. A 'clarification' that only deepened the mire Upon realising the substantial credibility deficit of your source, you penned a damage-control 'clarification' on the very same Times of Israel blog. Here, you concede that your source and previous claims were, to be precise, baseless and unverified. One might have commended this acknowledgment of error, had it been accompanied by a modicum of self-reflection and contrition a recognition, perhaps, that a few swift Google searches might have spared you considerable embarrassment. Yet, astonishingly, you insist on the existence of 'global concerns' about 'South Africa's diplomatic posture toward Hamas and Iran'. 'Global concerns'? How many of the 193 United Nations member states have articulated such concern? I pause here to underscore that those who critique South Africa's bilateral relations with Iran seldom acknowledge that these relations, much like those with the State of Israel, predate our democratic government. It is, perhaps, convenient for some to portray these ties as a post-1994 phenomenon. I do, however, commend the discerning readers who promptly alerted you, Ms Slier, to the dubious nature of your July 11 blog post. Strangely, you appear to believe that the 'positive responses' you received somehow negate this. This raises a crucial question: why would one celebrate positive responses to unverified reporting? Again, in your July 13 entry, you seem to admit that, upon some semblance of verification on your part, the claims in your initial blog post cannot be substantiated. For instance, there is no application before any court that contains Mr Lewis' spectacular fables. Nonetheless, you doggedly insist this is an 'important lobby mechanism' and therefore you stand by your story. Essentially, we are to believe Mr Lewis simply because he said so, even in the face of unverified claims. The public deserves better It is fair to say that no serious person, let alone a journalist worth their salt, would publicly champion such a flimsy argument. The world, the readers of the Times of Israel and the listeners of Chai FM are profoundly ill-served by your work, Ms Slier. There are, in fact, credible voices who have cited South Africa's case before the International Court of Justice as providing compelling evidence of genocide in Gaza (including the court itself, on three separate occasions). One such voice is Israeli Dr Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, in the venerable New York Times. He wrote: 'It appeared no longer possible to deny that the pattern of [Israel Defense Force] operations was consistent with the statements denoting genocidal intent made by Israeli leaders in the days after the Hamas attack,' including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threat to turn Gaza into 'rubble' and his call for Israeli citizens to remember 'what Amalek did to you' — a reference to the biblical passage calling on the Israelites to 'kill alike men and women, infants and sucklings' in their fight against an ancient enemy. The continued denial of this designation by states, international organisations and legal and scholarly experts will cause unmitigated damage not just to the people of Gaza and Israel but also to the system of international law established in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust, designed to prevent such atrocities from happening ever again.' South Africa's case has nothing to do with politics, nor with religion or ethnicity. It is about the conduct of a state that has signed the UN Charter, the Genocide Convention and numerous international instruments and manifestly and repeatedly violated them. It is about the equal application of international law. Our support for the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people is predicated on the enduring need to address the manifestation of an illegal settler colonial occupation. These instruments did not exist when the Herero people in Namibia were almost exterminated, or during the horrific period of the Holocaust. They existed in 1994 in Rwanda and Srebrenica, yet too few states pulled the levers put in place to stop them. Surely, we have learned from the lessons of the past and have vowed 'never again' to allow such atrocities to repeat. Surely, we cannot sit by and allow the logic that justified apartheid and previous tragedies to repeat themselves. South Africa has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and a just peace, as well as for the return of all hostages held in captivity in Gaza and political prisoners — including children — who are incarcerated in Israeli prisons for advocating for the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people. This is what we must all be lobbying for: for the occupation to end and for the status quo to change for the better for the people of Israel and Palestine, not for unsubstantiated conspiracies propelled by name-droppers. By the way, in his email to the MRC, Mr Lewis inserts in 'his draft application' the following proviso: 'Subject to confirmation by our investigation whether SA President Ramaphosa knew about the alleged collaboration with an organisation the US, UK and the EU, a proclaimed terrorist organisation, or not.' Yes, you have read correctly: this from the very same person who declared there was 'evidence'. The world, the readers of the Times of Israel, and the listeners of Chai FM deserve better, Ms. Slier. We cannot accept clickbait, biased reporting that confirms unsubstantiated hogwash. As we mark Mandela month across the world, it may be prudent to remember what he said: 'But we know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.' Indeed we cannot be free without the resolution of conflicts, including in Sudan and other parts of the world. Yours in verification and truth telling, Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the ministry of international relations and cooperation.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Cultural attaché: Jacob Rajan
On the case: Jacob Rajan in The Pickle King. Photo / Supplied Reminder, this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read. Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. On the case: Jacob Rajan in The Pickle King. Photo / Supplied Jacob Rajan was the first Indian graduate from Toi Whakaari, New Zealand's drama school. Back in the 1990s, he met Justin Lewis in a bar after a show, and that chance conversation led them to start the theatre company Indian Ink. Their first play, Krishnan's Dairy, made a big impact on New Zealand theatre by bringing stories to audiences rooted in cultural connections and 'the serious laugh' ‒ mixing humour with weightier themes. Since then, Indian Ink has created 11 original plays and toured internationally. Along the way, Rajan has been recognised for his work. He was named an Arts Laureate in 2002 and appointed a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in 2013 for his contributions to theatre. What is your earliest memory? Getting a vaccination when I was 4. My mum said we were going to get an ice-cream, neglecting to mention the stabbing I would receive beforehand. I howled more at the betrayal than the pain. What did you want to be when you were a kid? I loved The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, The Three Investigators, etc, and I loved dogs. So, some sort of detective-with-a-dog Scooby-Doo situation would have been ideal. When were you happiest? My kids were 9, 7 and 5 and we were in the kitchen making chapatis in a sort of assembly line – shaping the dough, rolling, flipping, stamping with butter. There was music playing and I thought, 'This is peak happy, this is as happy as you will ever need – remember this.' What's your greatest fear? I'm not great with balloons or snakes but my greatest fear would be something bad happening to my wife and kids. So, I guess if my wife and kids were trapped in a room with balloons and cobras and I was the only one who could save them, that would be bad for me – and them, obviously. What makes you unhappy? Wasted time. Like watching hours of your life dissolve into a YouTube spiral until suddenly it's midnight and you're emotionally invested in the renovation of a Norwegian boathouse. Or being passed like a cursed baton from one help desk to another, each one less helpful than the last. Or losing weeks of work – not because you didn't save it (please, I wasn't born yesterday) – but because something else glitched. It's not just time you can't get back, it's time mocking you on the way out. What trait in yourself do you least like? Resentment of other people's success. I have a jealous streak that I've worked hard to suppress but it flares up from time to time – not pretty. What trait in others do you least like? I hate judgmental people; I can spot them a mile away. It's a joke but it's kinda true. Finding fault is easy and lazy and makes for good gossip but not great people. And yes, it's another thing I'm working on. What characteristics do you most value in your friends? Passion, intelligence (emotional, cerebral – often both), sense of humour, kindness. All my closest friends have that spark, something that lights me up or steadies me when needed. I steal a little brilliance from each of them. When is it okay to lie? Any time the truth would do more harm than good, which I'll admit is rare. And when you're involved in good mischief where the purpose of de lie is to bring de-light. Favourite things, clockwise from top left: New York, Meryl Streep, and The Famous Five. Images / Getty Images Apart from any property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought? A trip for the whole family to New York. We scrimped and saved and got some help from a patron. Worth every cent. Experiences are better than things. What's the best gift you've ever given? I bought a 1940s electric railway clock from an antique shop in Melbourne for my wife's birthday. I had to transport it back in my luggage and I was terrified that it would be just a mess of springs and cogs and broken glass when I opened my suitcase. But it was completely intact and has kept perfect time ever since, although the hands go backwards after a power cut for some reason. I love it and I definitely bought it for my wife. What is your most treasured possession? My guitar. Conrad Wedde from Phoenix Foundation was our original composer and musician in our first play, Krishnan's Dairy. When my crappy op-shop guitar finally died, Conrad took me to Alistair's Music Ltd in Wellington and selected this beautifully toned and shapely Spanish replacement. Maria's toured the world with me and has stuck by me even though I'm not really worthy of her – much like my wife. What was the last book you read? The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, by Shehan Karunatilaka – a surreal, savage and strangely hilarious ride through the afterlife in war-torn Sri Lanka. Who are your favourite writers? Salman Rushdie (on a good day), Arundhati Roy, Jeanette Winterson, Michael Ondaatje and lately, Richard Powers. Who is your favourite character(s) of fiction? I've just discovered him: Akram Salim from the TV programme Dept Q. He's a sidekick to the main detective but steals every scene. I love me a good sidekick. What book do you recommend to others to read? The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy – it still breaks me open. The title of your autobiography would be … Truthfully, I Lie. What words or phrases do you overuse? 'Just one more thing…' and 'It'll be fine.' Both are rarely true. What is your favourite word? 'Mischief.' It suggests trouble, yes, but the kind that's clever, charming, joyful. Playful subversion. It's a word that never sits still. Do you have a quote(s) you live by? 'First we eat, then we do everything else.'‒ MFK Fisher. What is your favourite museum/art gallery? Chichu Art Museum on Naoshima Island in Japan. My wife and I went there this year. Often those big, famous galleries around the world can be overwhelming with the sheer volume of art they store. The beauty of Chichu is it has only three rooms for three artists whose work is on permanent display: Claude Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria. But the word 'only' doesn't really belong here. The museum was designed by Tadao Ando and apparently took form as Ando, Turrell and De Maria bounced ideas off each other. The result is not so much a building but a gobsmacking piece of site-specific art itself. You go for the water lilies but you end up being moved by the walls. Travel destination: South America. Image / Getty Images What is the artwork you could look at endlessly? Teshima Art Museum in Japan. Again, I'd say it's an artwork not an art museum. You take a ferry to Teshima Island. You get on a bus. You wait for your allotted time. You walk down a path overlooking a beautiful inland sea. You're told to take off your shoes, not to talk and to be careful where you walk. You enter the most extraordinary vast, white, domed, underground room with massive holes in the ceiling that punch out to the sky. There's an immediate sense of awe, like being in a cathedral, but at some point you look down and notice the floor is leaking. Barely visible pin holes around the place release tiny droplets of water that trickle and join in random – mesmerising patterns of tension and release – ultimately finding their way to puddles that you can't believe you didn't see before. Who knew you could spend 15 minutes fully invested in the drama of water making its way across the floor, and have to be dragged away? What particular artistic talent would you like to have? I'd love to be an awesome backing singer. Harmonies and cool dance moves. Maybe a tambourine? What is your favourite film? Truly, Madly, Deeply. It's not just a love story, it's a grief story in disguise. It lets you feel big things – loss, love, longing – and you laugh through the ache, the messiness of mourning, the absurdity of holding on. Also, let's be honest: Alan Rickman playing Bach on a cello in a cardigan? Impossible not to love. If a movie was made of your life, which song would be played over the end credits? Aretha Franklin singing I Say a Little Prayer. It was the post-show song for Krishnan's Dairy. I must've heard it more than 300 times but it never got old. Who would play you? Prince, if he was alive or Meryl Streep, alive or dead. I don't know how she'd do it but I know she'd totally nail it. What has been your most enjoyable live theatre experience? John Bolton's Jumping Mouse. One man, a simple story told with such sincerity and craft that it lands right in the centre of your chest. What has been your most enjoyable live music experience? Leonard Cohen in my home town, Wellington. It wasn't just a concert; it felt like communion. This was three years before he died. His voice was aged into gravel and velvet, each lyric was poetry made flesh. He bowed low, tipped his trilby to his musicians, danced like a gentleman thief. What are your favourite genres of music? Anything with soul – from qawwali to funk to classic singer-songwriter. What were your top songs in Spotify 2024 Wrapped? I'm so old I don't know what you're talking about but I pretty much had The National, Aldous Harding and The Felice Brothers on high rotation that year, if that helps. What song always gets you dancing? Kiss, by Prince. It's a contract with the universe; if it plays, you move. What is a streaming series or favourite TV show you would recommend? Extras. Ricky Gervais is genius and the celebrities he co-opts are clearly having the time of their lives. I know it's ancient now but it bears repeated viewing. If you weren't an actor/playwright, what would you be doing instead? Yoga instructor. Let's be clear, I don't actually do yoga beyond a few stretches but I'd like to. And I feel, being Indian, I could sell it. Clockwise from top left: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply,' Leonard Cohen, and Aretha Franklin. Images / Getty Images Which talent or skill do you wish you had? I wish I was handy. Like handyman handy. I own some tools – a circular saw, electric drill, spirit level – but I'm inept with them and they don't respect me. It's a constant humiliation. Do you have a skill or ability that might surprise people? I have an unusual superpower: I'm not ticklish. Not even a flinch. People always think they'll be the one to break me but my laughter has to be earned not stolen. Which three people, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with? I don't have much of a grasp on politics or history or art but I'm endlessly fascinated by food. So MFK Fisher (high priestess of food writing), Nigella Lawson (domestic goddess) and Yotam Ottolenghi (Middle Eastern wizard). Everybody would have to bring a plate, obviously. Where is your favourite place in New Zealand? My home town, Wellington, Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Wind in your face, sea like a sermon. What is your favourite place outside Aotearoa? Bali. Beauty is in everything there: the food, the architecture, the landscape. It's a daily ritual for the Balinese. The trick is to avoid the Australians. What is a destination you'd love to visit some time? South America. I realise that's not very specific but that whole continent is a mystery to me and I hear great things. What is a building or architectural work you admire? As mentioned earlier, Tadao Ando's Chichu Art Museum. It disappears into the earth and yet somehow expands your sense of space. A temple to light and silence with an atmosphere that humbles you. A good day starts with … Strong coffee and Wordle in two. What would be comfort food to you? My mum's red fish curry. Rice. No cutlery. What can't you resist on a restaurant menu? Offal. It's the culinary version of rebellion. I see it on the menu – liver, tongue, sweetbreads – and my instinct is, 'No way!' But I refuse to back down. I am compelled to try-pe. What is your guilty pleasure? YouTube food videos. I tell myself I'm just looking for dinner inspiration but let's face it, I'm never going to make laminated pastry or pickle a goat. Jacob Rajan performs in Indian Ink's Guru Of Chai at Forum North, Whangārei, on July 26-27. He also performs Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream at Theatre Royal, Nelson, from August 29 -31, and Regent Theatre, Dunedin, on September 5.
Business News Wales
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Media Cymru Launches Wales' First Virtual Production Fellowships Programme
Media Cymru, a consortium of broadcast, production and academic institutions and businesses in Wales, has commissioned specialist training provider Final Pixel Academy to deliver a nine-month Virtual Production (VP) Fellowship ™ programme in 2025/2026. The programme is the first of its kind in Wales and will be hosted at a new state-of-the-art training facility for Virtual Production at fivefold studios. Funded by Media Cymru, the programme is being delivered by specialist training providers Final Pixel Academy and supported by virtual production studio fivefold Studios and post-production company Gorilla. Virtual production combines real-time game engine technology with LED screen backdrops and motion capture and is increasingly transforming how content is made. The use of virtual production in high-profile titles such as The Mandalorian, The Witcher, and The Lion King has signaled a shift in global production models, and Wales is now positioning itself to train the workforce needed to further enable that transition. The custom-built programme aligns with a shift in industry practice around the globe. It combines innovative technologies and virtual production techniques for professional crew and emerging industry talent across the fields of TV and film, broadcast, games, VFX, live events and post-production. The first Wales based Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ will see 16 participants engage in nine months of specialist training including both the foundational and intermediate virtual production skills required, such as production, creating virtual art as well as running and filming in a volume. The new VP training facility at fivefold and the Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ programme are part of the acceleration of investment and confidence in the creative industries in Wales. Media Cymru Director Justin Lewis said: 'We're very pleased to have worked with consortium partners to host Wales' first Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™. Not only will the final candidates access a high-quality blend of on-set training, masterclasses with leading industry talent and project-based live briefs, but the Fellowship represents the 'bleeding edge technology' that is fueling a new future for the creative industries in the UK.' Final Pixel Academy is the training arm of Final Pixel, a Creative Innovation Agency and Filmworks. Dr Jodi Nelson-Tabor is Head of Final Pixel Academy. She said: 'The launch of the very first Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ in Wales marks a transformative moment for the creative industries in the region. At Final Pixel Academy, we are proud to lead this pioneering programme in partnership with fivefold Studios, Gorilla (Academy) and the University of South Wales, made possible through the support of Media Cymru. By equipping mid-to-senior level professionals with cutting-edge, real-time technologies and virtual production skills, we are not only nurturing local talent but also attracting inward investment and positioning Wales as a premier destination for innovative film, television, and immersive media productions. Our Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ is more than just training; it is a catalyst for industry growth, creative excellence, and a thriving future for virtual production in Wales.' David Levy, Managing Director of fivefold Studios, said: 'At fivefold Studios, we've established a dedicated virtual production facility at the heart of a thriving film studio in South Wales. Featuring Europe's largest green screen cove, advanced motion and performance capture systems, and a state-of-the-art LED volume, the space is purpose-built for innovation and production at scale. Hosting the Final Pixel Academy Virtual Production Fellowship ™ here allows us to welcome emerging talent into an environment designed for hands-on learning, creative exploration, and real-world production collaboration.' Sally Lisk-Lewis, Skills and Partnerships Training Manager for University of South Wales, added: 'The Final Pixel Virtual Production Fellowship ™ is all about future-proofing the workforce in Wales and bridging the gap between traditional filmmaking and the emerging world of virtual production. It equips Welsh filmmakers with the skills and knowledge they need to stand out and excel in the sector, attracting high-end productions in the process.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Climate change: Facts about our warming planet
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Climate change will make catastrophic wildfires more common. | Credit: Justin Lewis via Getty Images Quick facts about climate change How much Earth has warmed since 1850: about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) What causes climate change: Gases trapping heat in the atmosphere The effects of a warming planet: Increased heat waves, flooding, wildfires, hurricanes and more Climate change is any long-term shift in average weather patterns. Climate change has occurred many times in Earth's history, and for many different reasons. The changes in global temperature and weather patterns seen today, however, are caused by things humans do, like driving cars or burning coal. And today's climate change is happening much faster than natural climate variations that occurred in the past. Scientists have many ways to track the climate over time. These methods have made it clear that today's climate change is linked to the emission of greenhouse gases , such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane. On average, greenhouse gases increase global temperatures. This is why climate change is sometimes called global warming . However, most researchers today prefer the term "climate change" because weather and climate vary around the globe, so even if the world is hotter overall, some regions may actually get colder. For example, warming global average temperatures might alter the flow of the jet stream, the major air current that affects the weather in North America. This could lead to periods of extreme cold in some areas. 5 fast facts about climate change Since 1982, Earth has warmed 0.36 F (0.20 C) every decade. About 3.6 billion people live in areas that make them highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Climate change could cost the world between $1.7 trillion and $3.1 trillion per year by 2050. Scientists say that if Earth warms by more than 3.6 F ( 2 C ), there will be disastrous outcomes. Developing and low-income countries will be hit the hardest by climate change. Everything you need to know about climate change Is climate change real? Scientists agree that climate change is real and caused by human activity. We can measure the effects of global warming because the climate of the past is recorded in ice, sediments, cave formations, coral reefs and even tree rings. Researchers can look at chemical signals — such as the CO 2 trapped inside glaciers — to determine what atmospheric conditions were like in the past. They can study microscopic fossilized pollen to learn what vegetation used to thrive in any given area. Scientists can also measure tree rings to get a season-by-season record of temperature and moisture. Sediments in the ocean can even provide a window into what the climate was like millions of years ago. Humans started keeping their own detailed records of the climate during the industrial revolution, a period of rapid technological advancement beginning in the late 18th century. Measures of things like land temperature began to improve in the late 1800s, and ship captains started keeping a wealth of ocean-based weather data in their logs. The development of satellite technology in the 1970s provided an explosion of data, including how much ice there is at the poles, the temperatures at the ocean's surface, and cloud coverage. All in all, these records show that Earth's global average temperature has increased by about 1.8 F (1 C) since the industrial revolution. Climate change has sped up in the past few decades, with the planet warming about 0.36 F (0.2 C) every 10 years. Earth's average temperature has been increasing since the industrial revolution. | Credit: NOAA graph, based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. What causes climate change? Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include CO 2 , methane and nitrous oxide. They are called greenhouse gases because they trap heat from the sun's rays near Earth's surface, much like the glass walls of a greenhouse keep heat inside. Small changes in the amounts of greenhouse gases in the air can add up to major changes on a global scale. The burning of fossil fuels — such as coal, oil and natural gas — is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock, like cows and sheep, are also a source of greenhouse gases. Plants help scrub greenhouse gases from the air, so when people cut down trees across a large area, greenhouse gas emissions rise. Before the industrial revolution, there were about 280 CO 2 molecules for every million molecules in the atmosphere, or 280 parts per million (ppm). As of 2021, the global average level of CO 2 was 419 ppm — more than 100 ppm higher than the level has been in the past 800,000 years. Carbon is also building up in the atmosphere faster than in the past. The heat-trapping ability of all that extra carbon has translated to rising global average temperatures. And the world is getting hotter, faster: Two-thirds of the warming that's taken place since 1880 has occurred since 1975. The burning of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. | Credit: Dmitrii Marchenko via Getty Images What are the effects of climate change? Climate change is creating a warmer world with rising sea levels and more dangerous weather. It is also messing up ecosystems around the world. Some of the most dramatic changes can be seen in the Arctic, where sea ice is melting. Even the oldest sea ice, which usually sticks around year after year, is getting thinner . Global sea ice levels hit a low in 2025 , and scientists now think we could see the first summer with no ice in the Arctic sometime between 2040 and 2060 . Melting ice has already caused seas to rise. The global average sea level has risen by 8 to 9 inches (21 to 24 centimeters) since 1880. For coastal areas of the U.S., this sea level rise has resulted in three to nine times more flooding when tides are high. Climate change is affecting the oceans, too. Ocean water absorbs CO 2 from the atmosphere, which creates a chemical reaction that causes ocean acidification . Ocean surface waters have become 30% more acidic since the beginning of the industrial revolution. When water is too acidic, corals can't build their carbonate skeletons, and shelled animals — such as clams and some types of plankton — can die. Climate change is even affecting when spring weather appears. Spring is arriving earlier in the United States. Climate models now suggest that early springs could be the norm by 2050 . But late freezes will likely still occur, creating conditions in which plants could sprout leaves early in the season and then be damaged by cold temperatures. Droughts and wildfires will also likely become more common. Extreme wildfires have more than doubled worldwide, and fire seasons are getting longer and more intense. Climate models predict that droughts will become more frequent and last longer. When oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, they become more acidic, which causes coral reefs like the one above to die. | Credit: Brett Monroe Garner via Getty Images Can we stop climate change? Humans have already triggered major changes to Earth's climate, but it's still possible to avoid some of the worst effects of climate change . To do that, we would need to slash greenhouse gas emissions. If all human greenhouse gas emissions stopped immediately, Earth would likely continue to warm , because CO 2 remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Some scientists have proposed a system called carbon capture and storage — a method that removes CO 2 from the atmosphere — to fix this issue. Carbon capture and storage may be possible , but it's so expensive that it's currently unlikely to happen. Even if we could remove the carbon that's already in the atmosphere, preventing future warming requires humans to stop spewing greenhouse gases now. Slowing climate change is a collective effort that will require collaboration among countries, states and cities, as well as major adjustments to the way the world operates. The most ambitious effort to stop global warming so far is the Paris Agreement . This international treaty between 195 countries aims to keep warming below 3.6 F (2 C). So far, however, most countries are not meeting the goals they set for themselves. The U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2025, when Donald Trump began his second term as president. Climate change pictures Image 1 of 4 A helicopter drops water over a raging wildfire. Wildfires Climate change is causing wildfire season to become longer and more intense. Image 2 of 4 Tourists look at a large glacier and the lake it's melting into. Melting glaciers Glaciers, such as this one in Iceland, are melting, which is contributing to sea level rise. Image 3 of 4 A woman stands by a weathered house, with the ocean only feet away. Rising sea levels Rising sea levels, a major consequence of climate change, are already affecting Tierra Bomba Island, Colombia. Image 4 of 4 An aerial view of structures damaged by flooding Extreme weather Climate change is making extreme weather events such as hurricanes, flooding and heat waves more common. Discover more about climate change — Could climate change make humans go extinct? — Which animals are most likely to survive climate change?
