LEARN 01
What will happen when the Earth gets warmer?
"Global warming" is a term we often hear in the news.
Let's start from the very basics, without using difficult words.
Q
What exactly is global warming?
In short, it means the Earth's average temperature is rising over a long period of time.
This isn't the same as saying "this summer was hot." Some years are hot, some are cool.
Even so, the overall average keeps rising—that's global warming.
Greenhouse gases
One of the gases in the air, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane.
It traps heat that would otherwise escape into space.
Without it, the Earth would be too cold—so we need it.
The problem is that there's now too much.
① Just the right blanket
Greenhouse gases
Bring the Earth to the perfect temperature
I'm keeping it.
② The blanket gets thicker
When greenhouse gases increase
The blankets are getting thicker.
③ The blanket becomes even thicker
The thicker the blanket, the less heat from the ground escapes, causing the temperature to rise.
Temperature changes in numbers
・Global average temperature
About 1.43°C higher than the 1850–1900 average. (2025)
・Japan's annual average temperature
Rising about 1.44°C per century. (1898–2025)
Does 1.4℃ seem like a small amount?
This is a yearly average across the whole planet.
Even a small rise makes extreme heat and heavy rain more likely.
In Japan, "extremely hot days" are about 4× more common than a century ago.
Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) "State of the Global Climate 2025" (March 2026)
Japan Meteorological Agency "Annual Average Temperature in Japan" / "Annual Number of Extremely Hot Days (13-site average)
WMO: https://wmo.int/publication-series/state-of-global-climate/state-of-global-climate-2025
Japan Meteorological Agency (Annual Average Temperature): https://www.data.jma.go.jp/cpdinfo/temp/an_jpn.html
Q
Why does it happen?
The biggest cause is burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas.
Making electricity, driving cars, manufacturing goods.
Each of these releases carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Fewer forests matter too. Trees absorb CO₂,
so as they disappear, more CO₂ stays in the air.
Top: Using electricity / Driving / Manufacturing / Shipping / Cutting forests
Bottom: Rising temperatures / Heavy rain and floods / Drought / Melting ice / Harm to wildlife
In other words, this isn't something happening somewhere far away in the world; it's a story connected to our everyday lives.
Q
What happens if this continues?
Rising temperatures set off a chain of changes.
Changes we can expect
- Extreme heat / More days too dangerous for outdoor activity
- Heavy rain and typhoons / More downpours in short bursts
- Rising seas / Melting ice and expanding water flood low-lying land
- Impact on wildlife / Habitats shift, and some species can't survive
* * These are widely noted trends. Ranges and certainty vary by source.
This isn't someone else's problem for music fans either.
Heatstroke at summer festivals. Shows cancelled by typhoons.
These changes have already begun.
Q
How does this connect to fandom?
Every step toward your fave
There's nothing wrong with enjoying what you love.
It's just worth knowing where the energy goes.
・Lighting, sound, and air conditioning at domes and arenas
・CO₂ from travel to shows (train, plane, car)
・Making, shipping, and disposing of merch and CDs
The point isn't to quit—it's to make it last.
To keep loving what you love, start with what you can change.
Q
So, what can we do?
Here are some actions related to this article. After reading, try at least one of them!
Reference materials on this page
Last updated: August 31, 2026
*The data is current as of the time of publication. Please check the respective organizations' websites for the latest information.
Explore other topics
04 | Connecting with the World
For the future,
let's think about energy.
See details →