The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the average temperature of the Earth. It happens because certain gases absorb infrared heat that would normally be radiated into space.

Causes of climate change

One of the first things scientists learned is that there are several greenhouse gases responsible for warming, and humans emit them in a variety of ways. Most come from the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production.

Ecosystems will change

The heat is not only melting glaciers and sea ice, it’s also shifting precipitation patterns and setting animals on the move.

What We do now matters

A commonly cited goal is to stabilize GHG concentrations around 450-550 parts per million (ppm), or about twice pre-industrial levels. This is the point at which many believe the most damaging impacts of climate change can be avoided. Current concentrations are about 380 ppm. There isn't much time to lose.