Introduction

Every day we follow on television, in newspapers and magazines disasters and climate changes that are occurring rapidly in the global climate. You never saw such rapid change and with devastating effects as has occurred in recent years.

Europe has been hit by waves of heat to 40 degrees centigrade, cyclones hit Brazil (especially the south coast and southeast), the number of deserts is increasing every day, strong hurricanes cause death and destruction in various regions of the planet and polar ice caps are melting (a factor that can cause the advance of the oceans on coastal cities). What can be causing all this? Scientists are unanimous in stating that global warming is related to all these events.

Climate researchers claim that this global warming is occurring due to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly derived from burning fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.) in the atmosphere. These gases (ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide) form a layer of clean, difficult to spread, causing the famous greenhouse effect. This phenomenon occurs because these gases absorb much of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, making the dispersion of heat.

Deforestation and burning of forests and woodlands also contributes to this process. The sun's rays reach the ground and radiate heat in the atmosphere. As this layer of pollutants makes it difficult to heat radiation, the result is the increase in global temperature. Although this phenomenon occurs more in big cities, has already applied its consequences globally.

global warming - melting ice melting ice in the polar caps: one of the consequences of global warming.

Consequences of global warming

- Increase the level of the oceans: with increasing temperature in the world, is currently melting ice caps. By increasing the water level of the oceans, may occur in the future, the submersion of many coastal cities;
- Growth and appearance of deserts: the increase in temperature causes the death of several animal and plant species, unbalancing some ecosystems. In addition to the deforestation that has occurred, mainly in forests of tropical countries (Brazil, African countries), the trend is increasing more and more desert regions of the planet Earth;
- Increase of hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones: the increase in temperature causes more evaporation occurs of the ocean, increasing these types of severe weather;
- Heat waves: regions of temperatures has been plagued by waves of heat. In summer, for example, there has been an intense heat wave, causing even deaths of elderly and children.

Kyoto

This protocol is an international agreement aimed at reducing the emission of pollutants that increase the greenhouse effect the planet. Entered into force on 16 February 2005. The main objective is to assure that the decrease in global temperature over the next few years. Unfortunately the United States, a country that emits more pollutants in the world, did not accept the agreement, said that because it would harm the country's industrial development.

Bali Conference

Held from 3 to 14 December 2007, the island of Bali (Indonesia), the UN Conference on Climate Change ended with a positive development. After 11 days of discussions and negotiations. the United States agreed with the position taken by the poorest countries. It established a timetable for negotiations and agreements to exchange information on climate change, among the 190 participating countries. The basis set will replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012.

Copenhagen Conference - COP-15

The 15th UN Conference on Climate Change was held between 7 and 18 December 2009, the City of Copenhagen (Denmark). The Climate Conference brought together leaders from hundreds of countries around the world, in order to take action to prevent climate change and global warming. The conference ended with a general feeling of failure because few practical steps have been taken. This occurred because there was conflict between the rich countries, mainly United States and the European Union and those under development (mainly Brazil, India, China and South Africa).

Last minute, a document with no legal value, was developed in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% by the year 2050. There was also the intention to release up to 100 billion dollars to be invested in the environment by the year 2020. Countries should also make measurements of greenhouse gases every two years, sending reports to the international community.