Global Warming

Global Warming and Climate Change: Causes and Effects of Global Warming

What is Global Warming or Climate Change?
Global Warming is a specific example of the broader term climate change, which can also refer to global cooling. Generally, the term refers to recent warming and implies a human influence.

Challenges of Global Warming
Climate Change and Global Warming are some of the biggest challenges we face today. The first step towards tackling the problems is raising awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented and the difference that business, public sector, housing and the community can make.

Causes of Global Warming and Climate Change
There have been periods of change in the climate in the past, but today things are changing much more quickly.  Scientists think that this is because of a rise in emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases, collectively known as ‘greenhouse gases’. The greenhouse gases act as a partial blanket that increases the amount of heat from the sun that is trapped by the atmosphere. Since the industrial revolution, concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased, reducing heat loss from the Earth, and resulting in warming of the Earth’s surface and lower atmosphere.

Effects of Global Warming and Climate Change
Scientific predictions suggest we will experience higher sea levels in the future and changes in weather patterns, which bring with them a greater risk of flooding, more storminess and possible summer water shortages.

You can read more on the effects of Global Warming in Wales and the world on the Welsh Assembly Government website.

More Information on Global Warming
Visit the Welsh Assembly Government climate change page to find out what the Welsh Assembly Government are doing and what you can do to tackle the causes of global warming and adapt to the impacts of unavoidable climate change and global warming.