NASA | 2014 Warmest Year On Record

NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies releases an annual global temperature analysis using data from weather stations worldwide. The analysis shows a significant increase in Earth's temperature since 1880, with a 1.4°F rise in the global average. This change, though seemingly small, is crucial for climate understanding. Temperature fluctuations occur yearly due to weather patterns, but the long-term trend shows rising temperatures, as seen in 2014, the hottest year on record. This trend is driven by increased carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

What trend is reinforced by the ranking of 2014 as the hottest year?

What is the primary cause of the increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?