Climate change background information
What is climate change?
The earth’s climates are changing due to gases
such as Carbon Dioxide (CO²) building up in the atmosphere and
trapping heat. This is called the 'greenhouse effect' because
heat from the sun is retained in the atmosphere,
resulting in warmer conditions throughout the planet - this is
similar to the way that real greenhouses work.
CO² is released by burning fossil fuels, such
as coal, gas or oil. Deforestation also affects the levels of CO²
in the atmosphere as there are less trees to absorb the gas.
The diagram below explains the 'greenhouse
effect'.
The Nottingham Declaration
In 2007 Broxbourne Council signed the
Nottingham Declaration, recognising the need to address climate
change. This document is a commitment to tackle climate change
within the Council’s own activities and to offer leadership to the
community.
Because of this effect, the gases that cause
the changes are known as “greenhouse gases”. Carbon Dioxide (CO²)
is the main contributor, although other gases have similar effects.
CO² is released by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, gas or oil.
Deforestation also affects the levels of CO² in the atmosphere as
there are less trees to absorb the gas.
The ways in which greenhouse gases affect the
atmosphere is complicated and occurs slowly. The world will
experience climate changes in the next 30-40 years as a result of
historic greenhouse gas emissions and climate change later.
There is global concern that increases in greenhouse gases
will raise the overall temperature of the earth and cause permanent
damage to life on earth.
To reduce this impact, governments are making
new laws to cut emissions.
The following page For more informaiton,
please refer to the Council's
climate change strategy.