So what on earth is all the fuss about? You are visitor No:  
Recently 10 Bideford College students took a long hard look at Climate change and the 3 main parts to the story.
  1). The Greenhouse Effect.
2). Global Warming.
3). Climate change
Global Warming
 Each one effects the others and as they do so the end result is a warming planet.
You might think that that sounds O.K, Warmer planet = warmer weather = better suntan & more days on the beach.
If only it was that simple.
The Earths climate is a delicatly balanced thing and has changed gradually over millions of years, but always naturally.



The BIG problem nowadays is that Man is having such a BIG effect on this natural balance that the balance is being upset drastically.

Sometimes it's hard to know what to think because the news about these different factors seems to change weekly.
One thing is almost 100% certain and most Scientists agree that the Greenhouse Effect, Global Warming & Climate change are real and happening right now.

What is actually happening?
Simply put, it means that greenhouse gases make the Earth warmer by trapping energy in the atmosphere.
In more detail it means that a rise in the amount of greenhouse gases from human activities such as driving cars, electricity production, and manufacturing, leads to a much greater greenhouse effect. 		 
 
Greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere soak up heat that is rising up from the earth surface causing it to be retained. This greenhouse behaviour of the atmosphere acts as a natural blanket over the earths surface making it warmer than it would otherwise be.
Without this effect the earths surface would be 20 to 30°C colder and much less suitable for life. However, man is upsetting the balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere & causing changes to this blanket effect.

Mans effects on the environment

This in turn leads to global warming and as a consequence will affect other aspects of the Earths climate; Climate change. Even if all greenhouse gases had been stabilized way back in the year 2000, we would still be committed to a warmer Earth and greater sea level rise in the present century because of all the pollution created in the past.
Rising global temperatures are expected to raise sea level, and change local climate conditions. Changing regional climate could alter forests, crop yields, and water supplies. It could also affect human health, animals, and many types of ecosystems.

If some of these words are a bit confusing check out the Glossary Here.
Find out about what might happen to our local environment. Next >
 
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