global warming
Global warming is the result of a build up of greenhouse gases, chiefly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap the sun's heat in the earth's atmosphere, forming the "greenhouse effect" - a natural phenomena that keeps the earth warm. However, when the concentration of these greenhouse gases gets too large, we experience a dangerous rise in temperatures, which can result in severe and extreme weather conditions known as global warming (Carpenter,2001).
In effect, earth's blanket thickens and our atmosphere absorbs and holds more heat than it radiates back resulting in global warming. This could directly affect rainfall, flooding and droughts, agriculture, economies, health and biosecurity. Carbon dioxide (CO²) is the primary greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere from human activities. Ongoing efforts regarding international co-operation to limit and reduce the production of CO² culminated in the signing of the Kyoto Protocol by 38 industrialised nations on 10 November 2001. In terms of this agreement, emissions of six greenhouse gases have to be cut on average by 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the five-year period 2008 to 2012. (Pitts,2004)The predominant parties responsible for the release of CO² are fossil fuel burning – oil, coal, and natural gas alone account for about 75 percent of the increase in CO² – cement manufacture and deforestation – the cutting and burning of forests that trap carbon accounts for about another 20 percent. (Yeang, 1999) As a result of this, most of the remedial action has been geared towards developing alternative production technologies that are not reliant on fossil fuel burning for the production of energy, as this is the primary consumer of fossil fuel. Similarly, motor manufacturers are developing cleaner-burning engines whilst exploring alternative fuels for future vehicles. CO² remains in the atmosphere for about 100 years: the longer we pollute, the longer it will take for any action taken to be effective. (Birkeland, 2004)