Final answer:
The global average temperature has indeed risen by more than one degree over the past century, indicating a significant rate of climate change compared to historical temperature fluctuations. This change has profound implications for ecosystems and weather patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that in the last century, the global average temperature has increased, which can be largely attributed to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. Data from reputable sources such as NOAA and NASA show that the Earth's surface temperatures have risen by more than one degree in the past 100 years. This rise in temperature is significant when compared to historical fluctuations and is a cause for concern regarding its impact on global ecosystems and weather patterns.
For instance, the Medieval Climate Anomaly, which occurred between 900 and 1300 AD, saw temperature changes that varied between 0.10 °C and 0.20 °C above the norm, allowing for changes like the colonization of Greenland by the Vikings. By contrast, the recent temperature increase has been sudden and dramatic, with the past 100 years witnessing approximately the same amount of rise that previously took place over 4,000 years.
Understanding the gravity of this issue is essential for grasping the potential consequences of climate change, such as shifts in species habitats, alteration of weather patterns, and the frequencies of extreme weather events. This underscores the importance of environmental awareness and the need for actions to mitigate global warming.