Global Climate Change and the Carbon Footprint

what is a major cause of climate change

An increase in average global temperature

potential effects of global climate change, include:

o Extinction of species

o Raising sea levels due to the melting of polar ice caps

o Migration- people will move from areas suffering drought/flooding

o Decrease in crop yield for all major world crops

what is the carbon footprint

the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event.

How can our carbon footprints be reduced

-reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and methane by:

• using less electricity (so using less fossil fuels or using an alternative source of electricity),

• reducing the amount of travel or transportation (of either goods or people)

• by planting more trees.

How can these actions be limited

-it’s more difficult/ can be more expensive

-planting trees takes away land that could be used to grow crops.