WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Scientific evidence suggests that some human actions, mainly the burning of large quantities of fossil fuels, can cause climate change.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Earth is warmed by the sun, but also leaks heat although the atmosphere slows this. This natural heat-trapping process is called the 'greenhouse effect'.
However, when we burn fossil fuels carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere and further slows heat loss. Therefore the planet gets warmer.
CO2 accounts for 60 per cent of the 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.
HOW WILL CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT THE WORLD?
Global average temperatures are predicted to rise by between 1.4°C and 5.8°C by 2100.
Climate change is warming the sea (and therefore expanding it) and with the melting of the world's major ice areas due to climate change, sea levels are rising.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR JAMAICA AND THE CARIBBEAN?
(i) Increased risk of hurricanes. Hurricanes draw their energy from warm seas, so warmer seas will result in more severe and more frequent hurricanes.
(ii) A large storm surge driven by a major hurricane tracking from the south of Jamaica could breach the Palisadoes strip that links Norman Manley Airport and Port Royal to the mainland. This could simultaneously flood urban areas such as Portmore, making it very difficult to evacuate the affected areas in time.
