Introduction to Climate Change & Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Scientists are finding that due to increased levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide (GHGs) emissions, "warming of the climate system is unequivocal."1 At the same time, a full understanding of climate change and its long term impacts is still emerging.2 Scientists, however, now believe that it is "very likely" that human activities, including the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation, transportation and manufacturing, have resulted in significantly increased concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.3

GHGs are a function of many activities, from manufacturing and agriculture, to how we power our homes and how much we drive. Fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas — release GHG emissions during production and consumption. The bulk of global GHGs (64%) are a result of energy consumption.4 Of this portion, GHG emissions that come from power generation account for 41%; transportation accounts for 23%; manufacturing and other industrial processes account for 24%, and residential and commercial buildings contribute 12%.5

Energy conservation and efficiency are seen by many as the most immediate and cost-effective ways for energy users, including the private sector and individual consumers, to reduce their carbon emissions impacts. Governments, businesses and representatives of civil society are working together to find solutions that reduce GHGs without undermining the growth of the global economy.

Please refer to the Carbon Management & Economic Development discussion topic on willyoujoinus to see what people said during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009.

1. 1 "Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis: Summary for Policy Makers", Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007, p. 5. http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-spm.pdf
2. 2 Ibid, p. 5.
3. 3 Ibid, p. 3.
4. 4 "7 Principles for Addressing Climate Change: Broad, Equitable Treatment", Chevron. http://www.chevron.com/globalissues/climatechange/sevenprinciples/ Based on 2006 IEA Statistical Data and 2000 non-energy related emissions based on 2005 World Resources Institute Data.
5. 5 Ibid.
6. 6 "7 Principles for Addressing Climate Change: Broad, Equitable Treatment", Chevron. http://www.chevron.com/globalissues/climatechange/sevenprinciples/
7. 7 Ibid.