Global Warming: The Real Facts

Definitions

SEE ALSO http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

GLOBAL WARMING is the heating of the atmosphere near the surface of the earth by increases in greenhouse gases. These include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and water vapour. The earth is kept warmer than if they were not present in the atmosphere. This is known as the greenhouse effect.

GREENHOUSE GASES are increased by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels (oil, coal and gas) and clearing of land. The level of greenhouse gases has been increasing since the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

THE MAIN SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES IN AUSTRALIA are fossil fuels - oil, natural gas and coal - and methane. These are created in energy production, industrial activities, transport and intensive agricultural production

CLIMATE CHANGE due to global warming results in higher temperatures (2005 was the hottest year on record), changes in ocean temperatures, more extreme weather events (floods, droughts, heat waves, etc.), more rain in tropical areas and less rain in colder areas.

BASE-LOAD power is the steady supply of electricity satisfying minimum continuous demand of electricity (usually between 30% and 60% of maximum demand). On top of base-load we add 'peaking power' to meet variable demand above base load, which usually peaks on weekdays early evening.

CARBON TAX is a tax on energy sources that emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It is an example of a pollution tax, which has been proposed by economists as preferable because it taxes a "bad" rather than a "good" (such as income).

EMISSIONS' TRADING INVOLVES placing a ceiling on greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and then buying and selling permits for the right to emit them. Governments typically issue these permits after which they can be traded.

THE KYOTO PROTOCOL is the only legally binding international agreement; it sets up a framework for global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The USA and Australia are the only developed countries to refuse to support Kyoto.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

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