Climate Change – Greenhouse and Global Warming

The Earth’s climate is warmer now than it was fifty years ago. Many scientists believe this is because a process called the greenhouse effect is causing the Earth and its atmosphere to slowly heat up, a bit like a greenhouse in the sun.

One of the major gases that cause the greenhouse effect is carbon dioxide, which is released when we burn fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. This is why carbon dioxide is known as a greenhouse gas.

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, instead of letting it escape back out into space. This causes the Earth to become warmer.

Scientists aren't sure what all the effects of global warming might be. However, some scientists are worried that the warming of the Earth will disrupt natural ecosystems and could:

• Increase the level of the oceans, leaving some people and animals homeless.
• Change where we can plant crops.
• Change the quality of our air.
• Change the quality of our water.
• Cause some plant and animal species to become extinct and change where others can live.
• Change weather patterns and local climates - perhaps increasing the number of droughts, floods and wild storms.

More information on Forests and Global Warming.