Guide Note:

Global warming is the increase of the earth's temperature due to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Small rises in temperature result in massive global changes. ¹ In the last 50 years, global warming has increased sea levels, changed weather patterns and has endangered plants and animals.¹ Carbon emissions from petroleum-burning and coal-burning sources, such as cars and power plants, are a major contributor to global warming.

Fast Facts:

1. Also known as climate change
2. Temperature has increased one degree globally in the last 100 years
3. 1997: Kyoto Protocol aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
4. Greenhouse gases: Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap the sun's heat in the atmosphere, much like a plant greenhouse. The greenhouse effect is necessary to keep the earth at a habitable temperature. However, in larger amounts, the warming trend increases, and problems can occur.

Nearly all climate change scientists agree that global warming is happening and that humans are responsible for it.² However, there is still vigorous debate over the exact causes of global warming and the precise role that human actions have played.