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GLOBAL WARMING

From: Energy Saving Trust

One form of climate change is caused by the presence of excess gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. These gases form a dense layer around the earth, which then prevents heat (provided by the sun) escaping back into space. The rising temperature that results is one of the main forces causing changes to the world's weather, which affects us all.

Rising temperatures will have a knock on effect across the globe. Ice sheets will melt which in turn will contribute to rising sea levels. This will affect island habitats, influencing the levels of flooding and coastal erosion across all continents. Increased precipitation will change the levels of rainfall across the world, causing droughts and flooding in different areas of the planet. In Britain we may witness extreme weather changes.

Think about this: the earth has been warming since the Ice Age, but very, very slowly. Since the industrial revolution, the pace of change has increased considerably. The 1990s have been the warmest decade since records began and 2003 was the third hottest year on record. The UK saw temperatures soar with 100 degrees Fahrenheit at Gravesend in August 2003.

The vast majority of the world's scientists agree that the speed and intensity of climate change is primarily caused by human activity.

Energy Saving Trust / Energy Efficiency Help-line: 0845 727 7200

www.est.org.uk

See also "dots" RESEARCH PAGE to discover the ways you can contribute by using your computer to help develop research into Climate Change modules etc.