Global Warming & Climate Change

The average global temperature is rising sharply due to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This rise in temperature is creating change in the world's climate which will have enormous consequences for people and the planet.

Humans are contributing to the greenhouse effect by emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) that trap energy and warm the atmosphere. Most of the emissions come from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gasoline.

According to a recent EU funded study ( Source: CORDIS Focus Newsletter) atmospheric CO2 levels have increased faster than expected during the past few years.Since 2000, with a growing global economy, an increase in the carbon emissions required to produce each unit of economic activity, and a decreasing efficiency of carbon sinks on land and in oceans have combined to produce the most rapid seven-year increase in atmospheric CO2 since the beginning of continuous atmospheric monitoring in 1959.

The growth of the world economy accounts for 65 % of the acceleration in the CO2 levels of the atmosphere, with other two factors each accounting for half of the remaining 35 %. However, it is these other two factors - the carbon intensity of the economy and the weakening carbon sinks – which are of particular concern.

The scientists note that until recently, the carbon intensity of the economy, which refers to the amount of CO2, emitted per economic unit, was improving. The carbon intensity of the gross world product fell from 0.35 kg of carbon per dollar in 1970 to 0.24 kg of carbon per dollar in 2000.

The researchers reveal that since 2000, the carbon intensity of the economy stopped improving and started to deteriorate at a rate of 0.3 % per year. They warn that this trend, coupled with rapidly rising emissions, amplifies the challenge of stabilising atmospheric C02.

The third factor contributing to the sudden rise in CO2 levels is the declining efficiency of the world's natural carbon sinks. The proportion of carbon dioxide remaining in the atmosphere after vegetation and the oceans absorb what they can has escalated over the past 50 years, showing a decrease in the planet's ability to absorb anthropogenic emissions.

Fifty years ago, for every tonne of CO2 emitted, 600 kg were removed by natural sinks. In 2006, only 550 kg were removed per tonne and that amount is failing.

Half of the decline in the efficiency of the oceanic carbon sink is due to changes in the westerly winds in the Southern Ocean, which are themselves driven by human activities. On land, a series of droughts from 2002 to 2005 contributed to a weakening of the terrestrial carbon sinks in many regions.

The carbon cycle is generating stronger-than-expected and sooner-than-expected climate "forcing" , that is, mechanisms that "force"the climate to change. In turn, climate change itsell is feeding back to affect the carbon cycle, decreasing land and ocean sinks.

The decline in global sink efficiency suggests stabilisation of atmospheric CO2 even more difficult to achieve than previously thought.

The new results underline the urgency of bringing global CO2 emissions under control. Earth is losing its restorative capacity to absorb CO2 emissions in the face of the massive increases in emissions over the last half century. The longer we delay reducing emissions, the more restorative capacity will be lost.

The following web sites give detailed information on climate change: causes, effects and solutions.


United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
The UNFCCC provides support to on-going negotiations and coordinates with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies. It also provides extensive background information about climate change:
Climate Change Information Kit
Glossary of climate change acronyms and jargon

The Climate Technology Initiative (CTI)
The CTI is a multilateral initiative of 23 IEA/OECD countries and the European Commission with the mission to promote the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by fostering international cooperation for accelerated development and diffusion of climate friendly technologies and practices for all activities and greenhouse gases.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The role of the IPCC is to assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change.

Climate Change Solutions
Success stories, tools, and resources on how to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.



The Science of Climate Change
A clear, comprehensive explanation of the reasons for, and effects of, climate change.

Vital Climate Graphics
Detailed visual explanations of global warming & climate change using images.

Climate.org
A project of the Climate Institute. Protecting the balance between climate and life on earth.

Cities for Climate Protection Europe
A worldwide movement of local governments committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency and decreased fossil fuel consumption.
Contact: Virginia Sonntag-O'Brien
Eschholzstrasse 86 - D - 79115 Freiburg - Allemagne
Tel: + 49 761 368 920 - Fax: + 49 761 368 9219
E-mail: iclei-europe@iclei-europe.org
Web: www.iclei.org/europe/ccp


Australian Greenhouse Office
Fact sheets on emissions trading & carbon credits

Pacific Institute : Global Climate Change
Selective List of Online Resources

Global Environmental Change
A Research Programme funded by the Economic and Social Research Council has produced detailed documents on global environmental change

U.S. National Assessment
Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change for the Nation will provide a detailed understanding of the consequences of climate change for the nation and will examine the possible coping mechanisms that exist to adapt to climate change

The Global Climate Coalition
A voice for business in the global warming debate

World Conference Climate Change 2000
Detailed information about the:
Download Conference Press Release

Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6)
The Hague, The Netherlands
13 - 24 November, 2000
COP 6 will work out more detailed procedures for implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Consensus among Parties in The Hague will set the stage for the ratification of the Protocol and its subsequent entry into force.

World ClimateTech2000
The Hague, The Netherlands
16 - 22 November, 2000
The ClimateTech2000 Pavilion is The World Sustainable Climate Technology Exhibition of climate-friendly technologies and services to be held alongside the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change COP 6

The Seattle Summit

Protecting the World's Climate
This summit brought together key individuals - many of them leaders in the information and telecommunications revolutions of the last two decades - who have the vision and resources to move forward the critical energy revolution.

Fifth Conference of the Parties (COP5)
Bonn, Germany 1999
Previous session of the conference of the parties.

Fourth Conference of the Parties (COP 4)

Third Conference of the Parties (COP 3)