Greenhouse gasses (GHGs) are an essential part of our atmosphere that enable life on earth. GHGs act like a blanket and prevent heat from leaving the atmosphere - helping to regulate the temperature on the ground. GHGs are naturally released through natural processes but are also produced when we burn fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, and coal.

 

Since the industrial revolution, human activity has increasingly relied on fossil fuels and this has caused an extreme increase in the amount of GHGs released into the atmosphere. The excessive level of GHGs in earth's atmosphere traps even more heat. This increase in trapped heat is causing a disruption in our natural climate systems. Scientists call this human-driven process 'anthropogenic climate change'. 

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Climate change is leading to more intense and variable weather, rising sea levels, and mass extinction. Changing climate conditions also disrupt our communities, economy, and health.