Global Warming

The earth receives energy continuously from the sun. It must get rid of this energy at the same rate by sending it back out to space. Certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, play a crucial role in determining the earth's ability to pass this energy back through the atmosphere. As concentrations of these gases rise they act in the same way that glass in a greenhouse traps the sun's heat, to make the air inside the greenhouse warmer. Carbon dioxide and other similar gases are known as 'greenhouse gases'.

Because we are all using more energy and energy use is responsible for about three-quarters of mankind's carbon dioxide emissions and other chemicals responsible for climate change. Greenhouse gases are released during the burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal and natural gas. These fuels supply the energy needed to run cars, heat houses, power refrigeration equipment, amongst other things. Remember, about 20% of electricity used in the average European home powers refrigerators or freezers.

Source: UK Climate Change Policy

One probable result of the increasing amounts of greenhouse gases is climate change - a warming of the earth's surface and the lower atmosphere. The results of this climate change are not known, but they could affect food and water supply, ocean levels and local weather. Can you find out any more possible effects of global warming?

In 1997 the nations of the world agreed to set legally binding targets for reductions in the production of greenhouse gases by developed countries. The treaty, known as the Kyoto Protocol, set an overall target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels between the years 2008 and 2012. The European Union and 11 other countries will have to reduce emissions by 8%. This may not sound like a lot, but when you think about the increase in the use of equipment or machinery which needs power, the target is really challenging.

Now try to find out what is being done to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by:

• governments
• local councils and authorities
• industry
• your school
• you!