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Proactive disclosure Print version | A change in the wind: Climate Change in Québec What is climate change ? In recent years, climate change has become one of the most important issues on the planet. Climate change is a change in the 'average weather', affecting all the features we associate with weather, including temperature, wind patterns, precipitation, and storms. Myth : A cool summer or colder than average winter means that global warming is not really a problem. Greenhouse effectThe average temperature at the Earth's surface is 15°C because of a natural phenomenon called the 'greenhouse effect'. If it were not for certain gases that function as a greenhouse to trap the sun's heat close to the Earth, the average temperature would drop to -18°C, and life as we know it could not exist. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, this natural effect has been enhanced by human activity (use of fossil fuels, agriculture, deforestation). This enhancement of the greenhouse effect contributes to global warming and may have various environmental repercussions.
The three main greenhouse gases In addition to water vapour (H2O), the main greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Methane and N2O have a greater capacity to absorb heat than CO2 and are therefore more powerful greenhouse gases. However, CO2 has the greatest impact because it is the most abundant. Since the Industrial Revolution began, concentrations of methane (CH4) have risen by 145%, whereas those of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) have increased by 30% and 15%, respectively. Scientists anticipate that in 40 to 60 years, the quantity of CO2 in the atmosphere will be double that of the pre-industrial era. They also consider that this dramatic increase in the concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases will have an impact on climate.
Did you know? How can we reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere? Did you know?
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