Climate change science

What is climate change?

The 'greenhouse effect' is a natural phenomenon that enables life on earth to survive. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere creating our warm liveable climate.

The 'enhanced greenhouse effect' is caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases resulting in more heat being trapped in the earth's atmosphere.

Climate changes due to the enhanced greenhouse effect are often referred to as 'global climate change' or 'global warming'.

Global consensus

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to provide a comprehensive and objective view on the complex issue of climate change. Governments who are part of the WMO and UNEP can participate in decision-making in the IPCC. The decision-making process is carried out in plenary sessions where reports and work programs are approved. Scientists from these member countries form the core of IPCC. They review, contribute and write the reports of the IPCC.

In its Fourth Assessment Report published in 2007, the IPCC concluded there was a greater than 90 per cent chance the temperature increases since the mid-twentieth century have been caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities rather than from natural processes.