Climate Change

What is Climate Change?

Climate Change
Climate change speaks of the overall changes in our global climate. It is "measured by changes in temperature, precipitation, winds, and other indicators." Often, many of us would confuse the idea of climate change with the idea of global warming; however, we must note that there is a difference. Global warming is actually just one element under the umbrella of climate change.[1]

To learn more, read about Earth's Climate System

Greenhouse Gases
The greenhouse gases in our atmosphere acts as a thermal coat that insulates the earth. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, absorb the sun's radiation and reemit them back into earth; thus raising earth's temperature and altering the sensitive balance of earth's climate. Normal levels of greenhouse gases maintain earth at the safe temperature. Without this coat, earth's temperature would be 33C lower than it is now, which means we would be back in the Ice Age. However, too much of these greenhouse gases in our atmosphere would cause over-warming of the earth.[1]

To learn more, read about The Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming
Global warming is simply an increase in earth's average temperature. It is one element measured under the umbrella of climate change. As simple as this sounds, an increase in earth's average temperature is, in reality, very critical. Just a slight increase would cause many serious problems due to the delicate nature of our climate. Therefore, an increase in the temperature then cycles itself back into creating more climate issues and a host of other social, economical and political issues.

To learn more, read about Impacts of Climate Change and how it affects Canada.

Greenhouse Gas Emission
Earth's atmosphere is made up of many different gases. Of all the gases that reemit heat back into earth, carbon dioxide is of major concern due to its alarming increase in volume over the last 150 years. Although carbon dioxide exists naturally in our atmosphere, a substantial portion of it is a byproduct from human activities. Some of these activities include deforestation, burning of coal, gas and oil in power plants, exhaust from automobiles, and from other forms transportations. Another greenhouse gas that is of concern is methane. The potency of methane is in its heat trapping ability. Although much less in volume than CO2, it is approximately 20 times worst than carbon dioxide. Methane is released in large quantities in landfills when wastes decompose under the absence of oxygen. Also methane is released from gases passed by cattle and other farm animal as feeds are digested in their stomachs under insufficient amount of oxygen. [1][2]

To learn more, read about Greenhouse Gas Emission and how it affects Canada.