An overwhelming body of scientific evidence paints a clear picture: climate change is happening, it is caused in large part by human activity, and it will have many serious and potentially damaging effects in the decades ahead. Scientists have confirmed that the earth is warming, and that greenhouse gas emissions from cars, power plants and other manmade sources—rather than natural variations in climate—are the primary cause. Due largely to the combustion of fossil fuels, atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide — the principal man-made greenhouse gas, are at a level unequaled for more than 400,000 years. As a result, an enhanced greenhouse effect is trapping more of the sun’s heat near the earth’s surface and gradually pushing the planet’s climate system into uncharted territory.
Climate change is a real problem, but it also has real solutions. Some of its effects are already inevitable and will require some degree of adaptation, but humanity has the power—working collectively and individually at all levels of society—to take serious action to reduce the threat posed by climate change.
The time to act is now. While the early actions of local and State Governments, nations, and business leaders are significant, climate change remains a global problem requiring efforts on all fronts. Each step you take to reduce your impact on the environment can make a difference, so start reducing your carbon footprint today.
Find out more about how Alcoa of Australia is addressing climate change as a business here .