The root of climate change

The principal greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide CO_2^. Over billions of years, organic matter from dead organisms has transformed into sources of energy such as coal, oil and natural gas in the outer layer of the earth. CO₂ concentrations in the atmosphere has risen one third since the industrial revolution, and in the next 100 years, this is set to double. Scientists have predicted that due to the rapid changes, it will cause major harm to the social, economic and environmental systems.

What happens?

The more that we produce of any of the greenhouse gases, the more we trap in heat and as a result, the earth warms up. CO₂ has always been present in huge quantities of around billions of tons. Human activity has only increased these quantities by a small percentage, but the activity has been enough to trigger significant damage and changes in the delicate balance of the earth's climate control system.

We all need a certain amount of carbon dioxide to live, but if the human race continue to contribute in the increase of this greenhouse gas, serious harm can come to the earth. Humans breath out a certain amount and plants absorb a certain amount of CO_2. Because of the increase, many plants will die which then leads to other organisms being killed off, thus, a viscous circle will form.