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Intro | What is it? | Effects | WWF's Role | Things to do | Reports
 Almost every day the news contains reports about global warming. We hear about the millions of cars on the roads in Canada, spewing carbon dioxide (CO2) and smog causing pollutants. Debates rage about how and when to end our reliance on coal-fired electricity generation, the single largest source of greenhouse gases. Disturbing headlines highlight the incredible rate of deforestation happening here and around the world, depleting the planet's natural ability to regulate the climate.
What does it all mean? It means that human activity is having a huge impact on the world's climate.
Pollutants that trap heat in the atmosphere are causing changes to the global climate. It has driven the average global temperature up by 0.7° Celsius (C) since the Industrial Revolution. This is the fastest rate of warming the world has seen in the last 10,000 years.
The scientific community agrees that if average global temperatures rise by 2° C above pre-industrial levels we would see irreversible damage to the planet. Even with some action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we are currently on track to reach 2° C by 2050, and will exceed this dangerous threshold unless dramatic actions are taken.
Many impacts of climate change that are predicted or already upon us, include:
- Melting ice caps
- Rising sea levels
- Disrupted ocean currents
- Drier droughts
- More frequent floods and hurricanes
- Wider spread of tropical diseases
- Food shortages
Read on to learn what WWF is doing to reduce the fossil fuel pollution that causes global warming and minimize the effect of climate change. Also, find out how you personally can help turn down the heat associated with global warming.
Next: What is Global Warming
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