Most of the world’s leading scientists and politicians agree that ‘greenhouse gases’ are causing climate change. Whenever we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas – in our factories, homes and cars – carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced. This is a greenhouse gas, so the more that goes into the air, the more the world heats up. This change can look small, but it’s enough to have a big effect.

Carbon dioxide and you

It’s not just big business that generates CO2. Everyone emits CO2, when we heat, light and cook in our homes, when we drive vehicles and also when we fly in planes. The good news is that you can use our new Carbon Offset service to have a positive impact on the environment.

Past and present

The concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere has increased by a staggering 35% since the industrial revolution (from 280 parts per million (ppm) to 379 ppm in 2005).

There’s no doubt – human activity is one of the main causes.

The primary source of increased CO2 in our atmosphere is due to the burning of fossil fuels, with changes in land-use (for example de-forestation), playing another significant, although smaller part.

Unless we join together and take action, these emission trends are likely to continue.

What will happen?

Based on best estimates the Earth’s surface air temperature is likely to rise by 1.1 to 6.4 degrees centigrade during this century.

This doesn’t sound a lot but it could have catastrophic impact across the planet.

This increase in temperature will cause the sea level to rise, and is likely to cause extreme weather more often. There may also be changes in rainfall. Disease will increase in many parts of the world and even some species of animals could become extinct.

Did you know, for example, that melting ice caps in the Arctic Ocean are disrupting the feeding habits of polar bears? They are now thinner and less healthy. And the warming climate is also affecting the migration routes of birds, fish and turtles.

Data Source: IPCC, 2007: Summary of Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2007