1. Climate Change
2. Greenhouse Gasses
3. Actions taken

What is Climate Change?

Global surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. The snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere and floating ice in the Arctic Ocean have decreased. Globally, sea level has risen 4-10 inches over the past century. Worldwide precipitation over land has increased by about one percent. The frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased throughout the world. The following picture shows the climate change.

Climate change is recognised as the most serious global environmental problem. While natural variations in climate over time are normal, human interference with the global atmosphere system through the emission of very substantial amounts of greenhouse gases is causing a discernible effect on global climate. Continuing change in the global climate system is expected in the future due to further emissions of greenhouse gases. Many changes in climate are expected over the next century and beyond, including an average rate of warming probably greater than anything seen in the last 10,000 years.

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What Are Greenhouse Gases?

Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Certain human activities, however, add to the levels of most of these naturally occurring gases:

Carbon dioxide CO2 is released to the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), and wood and wood products are burned.

Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills, and the raising of livestock.

Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels.

Very powerful greenhouse gases that are not naturally occurring include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which are generated in a variety of industrial processes.

About 98% of Ireland's final energy demand is produced by burning coal, oil, peat, or natural gas. This gas is the principal cause of the greenhouse effect, also known as global warming, probably the most serious global environmental problem we currently face. In Ireland, about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions come from energy used for domestic purposes. Household use of electricity alone is responsible for the emission of about 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from power stations.

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Actions taken

· Internationally
Climate change is a global problem requiring action from the entire international community. Countries from around the world are working together to share technologies, experience, resources and talent to lower net greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global climate change.

United Nations hold the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The ultimate objective of the Conference was the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the climate system. 1997 marked the beginning of a new phase in efforts to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol (adopted in December 1997) requires developed countries to reduce their overall emissions of greenhouse gas by at least 5% below 1990 levels in the period 2008 - 2012.

· Locally
Ireland has agreed to limit the increase in its net greenhouse emissions to 13% above 1990 levels by the period 2008 to 2012. This is Ireland's contribution towards fulfilling the European Union' s commitment to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gases by 8% below 1990 levels by the period 2008-12 under the Kyoto Protocol. -- Following a comprehensive consultation process, the Minister for Environment and Local Government launched the National Climate Change Strategy in November 2000. Implementation of this Strategy will ensure that Ireland can meet its international commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.

· By Energy Action
An independent Research Company, Alembic Research, was commissioned by Energy Action to carry out an Energy Audit on 216 Local Authority houses. The brief was to measure actual consumption against anticipated consumption if the basic home insulation service of attic insulation, window and door draught proofing, and fitting of a lagging jacket and two low energy light bulbs was carried out.

Results of the Audit indicated that a reduction of over 20% per annum in fuel consumption could result (from 117 gigajoules per house to 92 gjs per house)

Upwards of 3 tonnes per house per annum of a reduction in CO2, SO2 and other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere could be achieved.

There are over 700,000 homes in Ireland in which there is not even basic insulation. A reduction of over 2 million tonnes in pollution emissions could, therefore be reached.

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