- Overview
- The Basic Science
- Effects of Climate Change
- Uncertain Future
- Global Initiatives
The Basic Science
The Earth's atmosphere consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour. This finely balanced mixture that is the earth's atmosphere acts as the planet’s thermostat. It is effectively a two-way screen, which allows the sun's rays to pass through, then traps a certain amount of the energy being returned by the Earth. Because the atmosphere then radiates much of this energy back to the Earth's surface, the planet is warmer than if the atmosphere did not exist. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
The basic theory behind human involvement in climate change is that since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution humankind has been altering the composition of the atmosphere due primarily to the increased consumption of fossil fuels. This has led to the dramatic increase in concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As a result, additional radiation is being trapped by the atmosphere, which in turn causes the overall temperature of the planet to gradually rise. This theory is supported by the recent findings of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change.
Useful links to learn more about the science:
http://www.ipcc.ch
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/ClimateChange/
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/index.html
Effects of Climate Change...
 Source: US Environmental Protection Agency |
The Earth's weather and climate is driven largely by energy from the sun. The Earth absorbs a part of the sun's energy to heat the planet and in turn radiates a portion of this energy back into space. |
The Earth's atmosphere consists of a mixture of gases composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour. This finely balanced mixture that is the earth's atmosphere acts as the planet’s thermostat. It is effectively a two-way screen, which allows the sun's rays to pass through, then traps a certain amount of the energy being returned by the Earth. Because the atmosphere then radiates much of this energy back to the Earth's surface, the planet is warmer than if the atmosphere did not exist. This process is known as the greenhouse effect.
The basic theory behind human involvement in climate change is that since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution humankind has been altering the composition of the atmosphere due primarily to the increased consumption of fossil fuels. This has led to the dramatic increase in concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. As a result, additional radiation is being trapped by the atmosphere, which in turn causes the overall temperature of the planet to gradually rise. This theory is supported by the recent findings of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change.
Useful links to learn more about the science:
http://www.ipcc.ch
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
http://www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/ClimateChange/
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/index.html
Effects of Climate Change...
