Each year billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, are released into the atmosphere as we burn coal, oil and gas.
Greenhouse gases prevent heat from escaping from the atmosphere into space - just like a greenhouse.
Others claim that this is already happening. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution there is evidence that the earth has been gradually warming up. There is concern about the long term environmental damage that would be caused by increased sea levels, rainfall variations and crop failures. All are possible consequences of global warming. The views expressed in this document are those of the document owner.