2. What is Climate Change?
• A change in global or regional climate
patterns, in particular a change apparent
from the mid to late 20th century onwards
and attributed largely to the increased
levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide
produced by the use of fossil fuels.
3. What is the reason
for Climate Change?
When fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas -
are burnt they release CO2 into the
atmosphere. Because of this the layer of
greenhouse gas is getting thicker, which is in
turn making the Earth warmer. Thus the
ongoing unlimited burning of fossil fuels is
the reason for climate change.
4. What are the effects of
Climate Change?
Can affect people and the environment in many
ways. Some of these impacts, like stronger
hurricanes and severe heat waves, could be life
threatening. Others, like spreading weeds, will be
less serious. And some affect, like longer growing
seasons for crops, might even be good.
5. Why is Climate Change an
issue?
After decades of denial, most of us now realize we are
addicted to fossil fuels that create vast quantities of
carbon dioxide, and that this addiction also extends to a
wide variety of industrial and agricultural practices that
create a whole host of other global warming gases. We
are fundamentally changing the planet we live on.
6. What are some solutions for
Climate Change
Many and varied solutions to climate change have been
proposed, including individual frugality, energy conservation
measures, renewable energy, and carbon sequestration.
Which is the solution? Most likely, all of them. There are
champions for each, but in the end we may need to use
every trick we know to get us out of this one. Because
carbon dioxide is mostly emitted from the consumption of
energy from fossil fuels (for lighting, transportation,
manufacturing, etc.), changing the way we produce and use
energy is our starting point in trying to reduce emissions
There are many ways that you can make a difference, such
as driving less, insulating your house better, changing your
voting priorities, buying organic food, eating less meat,
buying fuel efficient appliances and vehicles... consult our
guide to reducing your greenhouse gas emissions, which
includes links to a number of other resources
