There is now a near unanimous, international consensus that climate change is real, is happening now and is caused predominately by human activity.
The burning of fossil fuels to fulfil the demand for power, has lead to an increase in ‘greenhouse gases’ – primarily C02. These gases create an insulating effect, causing more heat to be trapped close to the earth's surface, leading to 'global warming'. In turn, this warming effect can lead to a wide range of dangerous and potentially catastrophic climate changes – from higher temperatures and more droughts, to increased flooding and severe storms.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a leading international scientific body advising government, predicts that the global average temperature will rise between 1.5c and 4.5c, caused by increased C02 levels, due to the activities of mankind. As a result the IPCC conclude that the world is facing a "carbon restrained future".
Creating environmentally sustainable strategies to address climate change is a pressing global priority with the need to establish fuel resources that do not create social and ecological problems of critical importance.
