About Climate Change

Why the fuss? We all hear a terrific amount about climate change - why?

At its most simple, the climate change argument hinges on the burning of fuels - petrol/oil, gas, coal etc - and the carbon dioxide (C02) that creates. The idea is that if there's too much C02 in the atmosphere, the planet heats up and this creates unstable climatic conditions. It doesn't take much of an increase in heat to change the weather significantly. If the world's weather changes too much, the fear is that the world won't be able to support as many people living on it as it does now.

That, in brief, is what it's all about. The arguments about it hinge on a number of different points. Some of these are distinct from each other, some overlap. The main ones are:

• is it proved that C02 creates climate change or are there other causes?

• is it proved that humans are creating the increase in C02 in the atmosphere, and/or is the amount humans create significant?
• even if humans do create a significant amount of C02, and even if that is responsible for climate changes, can we do anything to stop it, or is it too late?

The arguing is often quite nasty and ill-tempered. Taken
to extremes, the issues raised by climate change are very, very serious - bringing into question - literally - almost every aspect of modern life. With such massive stakes, it's not surprising that the arguing gets heated.

On the main Combat Climate Change web site, we have tried to provide a clear and uncomplicated guide to the whole debate, so you can make your own mind up, from an informed point of view.