The climate of the Earth is always changing and several centuries ago the causes of this change would have been primarily natural in origin. Nowadays, although natural changes in the climate continue do occur, the term 'climate change' is generally used when referring to changes in the Earth's climate which have been identified since the early part of the 1900s. Many of the causes of these changes are related to humanity's emissions of 'greenhouse gases'.

Rising levels of greenhouse gases, such as Carbon dioxide, are already changing the climate and are expected to continue to do so throughout the 21st century and beyond. However, there are many uncertainties about the scale and impacts of climate change - particularly at the regional level. What is certain, however, is that climate change is likely to have a significant impact on the global environment through increases in temperature, increases in sea level, changes in levels and patterns of precipitation, changes in the severity and frequency of extreme events and so on. Climatic zones could shift poleward and vertically disrupting ecosystems and threatening the survival of some species. Human society will also face new risks and pressures due to climate related threats to food security and availability of water resources.

As a result of the above, human societies will need to adapt to future climatic regimes. Stabilizing atmospeheric concentrations of greenhouse gases will also demand a major global effort.

This website provides more information on the science of climate change, its causes and impacts and what international and South African society is currently doing to tackle this issue.

To read a more thorough introduction to climate change, you can also follow the following links:

UNFCCC Climate Change Information Kit - Introduction to Climate Change
Grid Arendal/ UNEP Climate Change pages