Many students and others who want to learn more about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. We’ve attempted to answer some of the most common questions right here.
What is climate change?
Climate change is caused by global warming, which refers to the rise in global average temperature. Did you know that 10 of the last 14 years have been the hottest on record?
Why is it getting hotter?
Human activity is the main reason.
In the past 200 years, the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) has dramatically increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. There is now irrefutable scientific evidence that this increase in greenhouse gas levels is causing an enhancement of the greenhouse effect, with global warming the result.
Where do greenhouse gases come from?
Electricity generation is the single biggest contributor to global warming. Anything that involves the burning of fossil fuels creates greenhouse gases.
Watching TV (coal is needed for the electricity), driving a car (oil) and even enjoying a warm bath (gas) are just a few of the daily activities that contribute to global warming.
There is no doubt that domestic consumers are a significant source of greenhouse emissions. However, power use by business is by far the biggest polluter – responsible for almost 80 per cent of Australia's annual greenhouse gas pollution. This is due mainly to the use of electricity.
Burning fossil fuels also causes health problems, with air pollution linked to heart disease deaths and respiratory attacks.
Electricity demand continues to rise rapidly, making it vital that Australians reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and look to clean energy sources.
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Is climate change something I should worry about?
Scientists predict that the average global temperature will increase by up to 2C by 2030, and by as much as 6C by 2070.
Given that a rise of less than half of one degree produces dramatic climate change, the potential impacts of global warming could be devastating. Extreme weather fluctuations such as severe droughts, storms, floods, heat waves and hail are already more frequent.
Climate change is the greatest global challenge facing humankind in the 21st century, according to business and government leaders at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland 2000.
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