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Climate Change

Greenhouse Gases: Lifegivers and Lifetakers

In nature’s brutal irony, the gases that make life on Earth possible now threaten our very existence. Read our greenhouse gas profiles and find out why CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide might end up killing their own creation.

Economic Crisis: Something Is Going Wrong

Financial and economic turmoil dominated the international agenda in 2008. Will the slowdown help reduce CO2 emissions or push global warming off center stage?

America’s First Green President?

Can the next President of the United States deliver climate friendly energy and environment policies in the depths of a recession?

Global Warming Basics
What is Global Warming?

What is Global Warming?

Everybody is talking about "climate change" and "global warming". But what is global warming, actually?

 

Climate Agenda
Key Stories 2008: Economic Crisis

Key Stories 2008: Economic Crisis

Financial and economic turmoil dominated the international agenda in 2008. Will the slowdown help reduce emissions or push global warming off center stage?

 


Climate Impacts
The Cold Front of the Climate Battle

The Cold Front of the Climate Battle

The Belgian civil engineer, explorer, and environmentalist Alain Hubert explains why the world’s last frontier is in danger, and why polar ice is so important in the global climate system.

 

Climate Solutions
Forest Facts: Laws of the Jungle

Forest Facts: Laws of the Jungle

Learn ten of the key facts and figures about the world’s forests, their importance to the environment, and how they are being destroyed by human activity.

 


Climate Politics
UN Climate Summit: The Calm Before the Storm

UN Climate Summit: The Calm Before the Storm

As a critical UN climate summit approaches, economic woes endanger recent advances. There has been progress since Bali 2007, but will Poznan 2008 lead to a worldwide agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

 

Climate and Business
Climate Change and Allianz: Carbon Cuts

Climate Change and Allianz: Carbon Cuts

Allianz SE, a global financial services provider, plans to reduce its emissions by 20-percent by 2012. Astrid Zwick, who heads the company’s Environmental Management System, explains how.

 

Climate Profiles
India Climate Change Profile: Growth vs. Climate?

India Climate Change Profile: Growth vs. Climate?

Only economic growth will allow India to lift more than 300 million of its citizens out of extreme poverty. But rapid Indian development also increases pressure on the global climate. How will India face this dilemma?

 

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Quick Facts

  • Without greenhouse gases, average temperatures on Earth would be -18°C (0°F).
  • Carbon dioxide is responsible for about 70% of man-made global warming.
  • Most scientists say that global warming of more than 2°C would be disastrous.

Climate Change Facts

What is the greenhouse effect? Why are gases like CO2 and methane a necessary evil? What is the difference between global warming and climate change?