| The Earth is surrounded by a thin blanket of gases, known as
the atmosphere. Contained in the atmosphere are a number of gases
known as greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and
water vapour. They are called greenhouse gases because like a greenhouse
they allow the Suns rays to pass through but trap some of the heat
emitted back from the Earth’s surface.
This is a natural process which warms the Earth and makes it habitable
- without greenhouse gases the Earth would be too cold to support
life, and we wouldn't be here. Over the past few hundred years of
industrialisation we have released more and more greenhouse gases
– particularly carbon dioxide, through the burning of fossil
fuels – such as coal, oil and gas in power stations, boilers
and vehicles.
The net effect of this activity is much higher concentrations of
greenhouse gases and increased warming of the Earth. The average
temperature of the Earth is already increasing as a result –
the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predict an increase
of between 1.1 and 6.4°C (with a best estimate of 1.8 to 4°C)
above 1990 levels by the end of this century.
This global temperature rise does not mean that everywhere will
enjoy warmer weather – some places will get hotter, some colder
and some just more wild and unpredictable. This is what we call
climate change.
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