Final answer:
Over the past 30 years, Earth's average surface temperature has risen by about 0.8°C due to the enhanced greenhouse effect, with significant warming since 1980. Various studies from NOAA and NASA support this finding, highlighting the implications of global warming on both a global and regional scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
Global Warming and Earth's Temperature Increase
The question concerns the rise in Earth's average surface temperature over the past 30 years, which relates to the topic of global warming. In the field of Environmental Science, various studies have been conducted to monitor changes in climate parameters, including surface temperature. The data collated from several authoritative sources identifies that over the past century, there has been an increase in the Earth's surface temperature.
Considering the extensive research and observations from agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it is established that Earth's average surface temperature has increased. The increase is quantified to be approximately 0.8°C, with a significant portion of this warming occurring since 1980, reflective of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
It is important to note that these temperature changes have substantial implications not just at a global scale but also regional variances. Areas such as the Arctic are experiencing temperature increases at a rate higher than the global average. Climate models predict future scenarios where the global surface temperature might rise by 0.3-4.8 degrees C before stabilizing, depending on greenhouse gas emissions and other climatic factors.