What is Causing Climate Change?

Too Many Greenhouses gases in the atmosphere

Greenhouse gases are all naturally occurring gases, and without them the earth would be too cold to sustain any forms of life.

Human activities have the most profound effect on this delicate balance.

Unfortunately, human activities are releasing too many greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has been through increased industrial production, electricity generation and uses of transportation. For example, carbondioxide emissions are now around 12 times higher than in 1900 as the world burns increased quantities of coal, oil and gas for energy. This has caused a thickening of the 'greenhouse blanket' with the result that too much heat is trapped into the earth's atmosphere. This causes global temperatures to rise, and is the reason for climate change.

Why should we be concerned about climate change?

Many of us have heard the terms 'climate change', 'global warming' and 'greehouse effect'. But how often have we thought about what they really mean? And more importantly, why we in the Pacific should even be concerned about climate change, when we are not producing the climate changing gases?

Climate change is often thought of as an environmental problem, caused by larger industrial nations, such as the United States and Australia. In this context, it is easier to ignore the probelm, as well all know that Pacific Island countries are not responsible for this problem. Unfortunately, while the countries in the Pacific contribute least to the causes of climate change, we will be amongst the most at risk from its negative impacts.

Sea level rise and other climate change impacts are already having an effect on the lives, traditions and cultures of South Pacific Islanders.

CO2 emissions data for 1998 from Energy Information Administration, US Department of Energy: World Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Consumption and Flaring of Fossil Fuels, 1990-1999

Did you know?

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Frimmersdorf power plant , coal-fired (lignite), run by RWE. According to a WWF study, this power plant is the second worst climate polluter in Europe.

USA is the largest Emitter of CO2

The United States of America is the largest emitter of climate changing gases, and as a single nation is responsible for 25% of global climate changing gas emissions.

Industrialised countries have much higher emissions of climate changing gases. As a result, they should be responsible for taking the lead in addressing this global threat. In addition to reducing their own emissions, they must also assist less polluting countries such as the Pacific Islands address climate change.

Climate change is an international problem, which is likely to have effects on countries around the world. Although Pacific Island countries are responsible for less than 1% of greenhouse gas emissions, they are the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. This vulnerability is increased due to their fragile eco-systems and developing economies.

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