Scientific Issues

Greenland's ice is melting
Global warming
Greenhouse Gas Science
Climate Change Impacts

Global Warming

Global Warming is the gradual increase in the average mean global temperature of the earth. Scientists have attributed this warming of the planet to both natural and human induced activities. Global temperature is determined by the balance between the inflow of solar radiation into the atmosphere, the trapping of some of this heat due to what is referred to as the "greenhouse effect" and the reradiation of heat back into space. To maintain its long term thermal balance/equilibrium, the Earth must reradiate back to space on average, the same amount of energy that is absorbed. Anything that interferes with this energy balance will cause a shift in global temperatures. When on average, there is less energy being reradiated than absorbed, the earth will experience a rise in global temperature referee to as global warming. This gradual warming is occurring and has been for decades and is used to explain much of the change scientists are seeing in climate today.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has developed a Climate Change information Kit.  This kit contains detailed information on climate change science approaching and explaining the science in a simple easy to understand manner. Whether you are an expert or a novice in the field of climate change, this information package will definitely be worthwhile to you.

Start Here!!!!!!!

Back to top

The earth’s climate is affected by the factors that cause a change in the redistribution of energy (solar radiation) within the atmosphere or between the atmosphere, Land and ocean.  One factor (element) which determines and affects this global energy balance is the Greenhouse Effect.  Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄), halocarbons (HFCs) and sulphur hexaflouride (SF₆) contribute to the natural greenhouse effect, which is responsible for the overall inflow and outflow of solar radiation.  They achieve this by trapping the solar radiation entering the earth’s atmosphere and redistributing this energy over time and space.  The amount of radiation that remains in the atmosphere is determined by the concentration of greenhouse gases in it.  Since the dawn of the industrial revolution there has been an increase in the use of energy.  The burning of fossil fuels has contributed significantly to the observed increases in greenhouse gas concentration resulting in the increased trapping of solar radiation and the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Back to top