Global Climate Change

The climate of the Earth is always changing. In the past it has altered as a result of natural causes. Nowadays, however, the term climate change is generally used when referring to changes in our climate which have been identified since the early part of the 1900's. The changes we've seen over recent years and those which are predicted over the next 80 years are thought to be mainly as a result of human behaviour rather than due to natural changes in the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is very important when we talk about climate change as it relates to the gases which keep the Earth warm. It is the extra greenhouse gases which humans have released which are thought to pose the strongest threat.

The greenhouse effect is at the center of the climate change debate. Therefore, its important to understand how its affects our planet.
The sun heats up the earth by sending solar rays towards us. Some of these rays don't get through our atmosphere. Those that do, warm up the Earth.

When the Earth warms up it radiates its own rays of heat - infrared rays. Those which don't escape past the atmosphere, are absorbed by greenhouse gases. These green houses gases warm the Earth so it is at the temperature we experience now. Without this process the Earth would be some 30 C cooler and life on our planet would be very different.

However, we are producing too many greenhouse gases, which mean they are absorbing more heat and warming the Earth too much - this is called "global warming".
One of main greenhouse gases is Carbon Dioxide which can be created from the chopping down and burning of trees.

The fossil-fuel used in cars, power-plants and machinery also creates Carbon Dioxide. Therefore, if we reduce the use of fuel and reduce deforestation, the amount of greenhouse gas around the Earth should also be reduce.

Scientists say it is already too late to prevent global warming and therefore climate change. But by reducing greenhouse gases we could still limit the impact. Even a change in temperature of under 1 C is enough to cause changes in rainfall and sea level rises.

from the BBC Weather Centre
picture from: Linc Gas Service Care