CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE

Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about

the changes to our climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have

occurred on our planet before. For example, there have been several ice ages or

glacial periods.

These climatic changes, however, were different from the modem ones in that they

occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The changes currently being

monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity.

Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some

experts, this warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate

unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The implications for the planet are very

serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such ecological disasters as

extremely high increases in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in turn

could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called

greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car

engines and modem industrial processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the

pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a greenhouse effect, by which the heat

of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular

summits on the subject, attended by representatives from around 180 of the world's

industrialized countries. Of these summits, the most important took place in Kyoto

in Japan in 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized countries would

try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this

reduction of emissions.

It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks

to absorb greenhouse gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has

been caused by too drastic deforestation.

Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warnings about climate

changes are often still being regarded as scaremongering.



CLIMATE CHANGE

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