What is Causing Climate Change?
Too Many Greenhouses gases in the atmosphere
Greenhouse gases are all naturally occuring gases, and without them the earth would be too cold to sustain any forms of life.
Human activities have the most profound effect on this delicate balance.
Unfortunately, human activities are releasing too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has been through increased industrial production, electricity generation and uses of transportation. For example, carbondioxide emissions are now around 12 times higher than in 1900 as the world burns increased quantities of coal, oil and gas for energy. This has caused a thickening of the 'greenhouse blanket' with the result that too much heat is trapped into the earth's atmosphere. This causes global temperatures to rise, and is the reason for climate change.
Why should we be concerned about climate change?
Many of us have heard the terms 'climate change', 'global warming' and 'greehouse effect'. But how often have we thought about what they really mean? And more importantly, why we in the Pacific should even be concerned about climate change, when we are not producing the climate changing gases?
Climate change is often thought of as an environmental problem, caused by larger industrial nations, such as the United States and Australia. In this context, it is easier to ignore the probelm, as well all know that Pacific Island countries are not responsible for this problem. Unfortunately, while the countries in the Pacific contribute least to the causes of climate change, we will be amongst the most at risk from its negative impacts.