CO2 – what's the big deal?

Basically, scientists have demonstrated that carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas is building up in our atmosphere, trapping heat much like a greenhouse does, which is raising the earth’s temperature. This global warming is likely to be a big problem for the planet as rising temperatures are being linked to melting of the polar icecaps and a rise in sea levels which can swamp low-lying islands and coastlines.

Rising temperatures are also linked to new weather patterns affecting food crops, and effects such as ocean acidification which can damage fish supplies.

A collection of scientists brought together to investigate the problem called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says the greenhouse effect has very likely been caused by mankind burning fossil fuels such as oil and gas, as this releases CO₂ into the air. So efforts to keep global warming in check have focused on keeping CO₂ emissions down – which is where we can help.

Avoiding products that are transported long distances is a big help (this means less petrol is burned) as is reducing electricity consumption as power in New Zealand is partly generated by burning coal and gas. Even cutting down the amount of rubbish your household produces can help prevent global warming – rubbish that goes into landfill releases methane, another powerful greenhouse gas.

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