Climate change—What is it?

'Climate change' is also often referred to as 'global warming'. It is caused by the trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere due to increasing levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Humans have been putting more and more greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels and clearing the Earth's forests.

This increase in CO₂levels in the atmosphere contributes to rising global temperatures. Since the1950s, Australia's average temperature has increased by 0.9°C, with some parts of Queensland increasing up to 0.32°C every decade. Scientists have warned that even if we were to stop emitting greenhouse gases now, we are already committed to a minimum temperature increase of 0.2 - 1.0°C per decade. Scientists also say that if we do not change our ways quickly, then we are heading for 2 - 3°C increase in temperature. While 2 - 3°C doesn't sound like much, the extra heat-energy trapped in our atmosphere would have very serious consequences for life on Earth.