Love the World

Since the middle of the 19th century, the temperature on earth has globally increased by 0.6°C (1.08°F). The latest years have been the warmest on our planet since the end of the glacial period. These data may not look that impressive, yet our planet has never recorded such a quick warming. And, according to scientists, this is just a beginning: from now to 2100, temperature could increase from 1.5 to 6°C (2.7 to 9°F) if nothing is done.

The first signs of climate warming are already visible: changes in the rainfall patterns, increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme natural events (tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclones, glaciers thawing...).
In the long run, our planet's whole climatic and ecological system could get upset, generating heavy consequences for populations, especially the most vulnerable, and for our economies as well.
The climate warming issue is also closely connected to the fossil fuels issue (crude oil, charcoal, gas) the burning of which is necessary for energy production, and is responsible for 85% of greenhouse gas emissions. Soon, the shortage of these fossil fuels will have to be dealt with, so we might aswell start adapting right now.

Greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon which allows earth to retain part of the sun radiation reflecting on its surface before it travels back to space. Without it, the average temperature on earth would be -18ºC (O.4º F). Thanks to it, it is roughly 15ºC (59º F) which makes our planet livable. Before the 19th century, the greenhouse effect was exclusively natural, 95% of it being generated by the water vapour and the CO₂ naturally present on our planet surface.

No. There are several greenhouse gases with different warming powers which remain in the atmosphere for a more or less long time. In addition to water vapour, the main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO₂) naturally present on earth but which concentration in the atmosphere has increased by 30% since 1850, mostly because of fossil fuels burning. Methane (CH4) is also naturally present on earth, but its concentration in the atmosphere has been multiplied by 2.5 in the last 150 years due to the intensification of livestock farming, gas and crude oil exploitation and the exponential increase of waste matter.
Finally, the concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O), another greenhouse gas naturally present on earth, has increased by 15% due to farming intensification and chemical industries development. In the last decades, new industrial gases appeared, many of them with much higher warming powers than CO₂: fluorinated gases (HFC, PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), etc.

The Industrial Revolution and, more recently, globalization with its new consumption and communication modes, injected massive greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. The Greenhouse effect, which should protect us from getting cold, is rapidly increasing to the point where we might quickly feel too warm! We are all responsible but it is up to us to reverse the trend by reducing and offsetting our emissions. Meanwhile, they are still increasing!

Quite simply, we should limit our greenhouse gas emissions and offset those we have directly or indirectly generated. But, for it to be effective, everybody must get down to it, especially in the industrialized countries, responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions. To be more specific, we should divide by four our greenhouse gas emissions before 2050. States will not be able to do it by themselves, which is why we invite everyone to adopt a voluntary attitude.