Understanding climate change
Climate change refers to variations in the Earth’s climate over time. Changes in the atmosphere can occur naturally but in recent decades the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, have risen significantly – due primarily to human activity. These gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide, reduce the amount of the sun's energy radiated back into space. The resulting rise in average earth surface temperatures is called global warming.
Never before has humankind influenced the climate to this extent. Economic growth continues to push up CO2 emissions. We are entering uncharted territory – taking part in the biggest uncontrolled experiment ever carried out by humankind – and the results are unknown and likely to be irreversible for many centuries.