What is Climate Change?

The climate of the Earth is always changing. In the past it has altered as a result of natural causes. Nowadays, however, the term climate change is generally used when referring to changes in our climate which have been identified since the early part of the 1900's. The changes we've seen over recent years and those which are predicted over the next 80 years are thought to be mainly as a result of human behaviour rather than due to natural changes in the atmosphere.

The greenhouse effect is very important when we talk about climate change as it relates to the gases which keep the Earth warm. It is the extra greenhouse gases which humans have released which are thought to pose the strongest threat.

Last week, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon has described global warming as the 'defining challenge of our age' and urged action. He saw with first hand knowledge the devastation of the planet especially the diminishing Ice Caps, the disappearance of huge land mass and the dwindling land and sea population.

Shouldn't we be concerned about it too before it is too late?