The effects of climate change affects us all on a global scale. Its potentially devastating repercussions have the capacity to change life as we know it, displacing coastal land dwellers, altering landscapes that change agriculture for the worse, and even upending wildlife to the point of extinction for some species.
Human activities have been the source of the worst damage to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels in part by industrialization and advances in technology in the form of machines, vehicles, and the way we access power and electricity. We also have the power to change and alter the effects we have caused, and the chance to mitigate further damage.
Thanks to technology we have a greater awareness of the issues and the means to turn away from a destructive path. Every one of us can contribute by educating ourselves and making small changes in our everyday lives, such as reducing energy use by using high efficiency appliances and through recycling, which reduces the addictive lifestyle of over consumption and mass production.
The facts cannot be denied. Since the Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century, carbon dioxide and methane levels have increased at an alarming rate. Their respective concentrations never surpassing about 280 parts per million (ppm) and 790 parts per billion (ppb) prior. In recent years, these levels have risen to 390 ppm and 1,770 ppb.1 And as of November 2016, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rose to 400 ppm – a historical level that will not likely be brought back down any time soon, but can be slowed.¹
Explore the site to find out more on greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Learn of the causes and effects, as well as ideas for solutions to make our world a healthier place for ourselves and future generations.
Kahn, B. (2016) The world passes 400 PPM threshold. Permanently. Available at: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/world-passes-400-ppm-threshold-permanently-20738 (Accessed: 6 December 2016).¹
