Climate Change: A Brief Background

Over the past 20 years, climate change has become a hotly debated issue not only in the UK, but worldwide. Some argue over what people can do to change directions, while some argue over the very idea that climate change is real. Take for example United States President Donald Trump, who was elected into office on a climate change and global warming denying platform, and just as recently as earlier this week, opted out of signing the G20 statement on climate change.

Dictionary.com defines climate change as “a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.”

What causes climate change? “Most climate scientists agree the main cause of the current global warming trend is human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" — warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space, says Nasa.com.

Scientists have also released many ideas on how to stop or even reverse the effects of previous damage, but many governments around the world have done little in the way of changing courses. The lack of action on behalf of first world countries leaders has prompted widespread protests such as the “March for Science” in the U.S.A., and the ongoing protests in the UK, covered by this website.

-Hope Sloop