I have chosen this part as an introduction. It derives from the most important Climate Change seminar of 2013, held in Sweden.
''Human activities are continuing to affect the Earth’s energy budget by changing the emissions and resulting atmospheric concentrations of radioactively important gases and aerosols and by changing land surface properties. Previous assessments have already shown through multiple lines of evidence that the climate is changing across our planet, largely as a result of human activities. The most compelling evidence of climate change derives from observations of the atmosphere, land, oceans, and cryosphere. Unequivocal evidence from in situ observations and ice core records shows that the atmospheric concentrations of important greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides have increased over the last few centuries.''
The report will answer probably every question about climate change you may have.
Introduction part - here.
Full report - Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis
Climate change, whether driven by natural or human forcing, can lead to changes in the likelihood of the occurrence or strength of extreme weather and climate events or both.
United Nations Environment Programme
Earth's climate is changing in ways that affect our weather, oceans, snow, ice, ecosystems, and society.
Natural causes alone cannot explain all of these changes. Human activities are contributing to climate change, primarily by releasing billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere every year.
Most of the warming of the past half century has been caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases come from a variety of human activities, including: burning fossil fuels for heat and energy, clearing forests, fertilizing crops, storing waste in landfills, raising livestock, and producing some kinds of industrial products.
Greenhouse gas emissions are not the only way that people can change the climate. Activities such as agriculture or road construction can change the reflectivity of Earth's surface, leading to local warming or cooling. This effect is observed in urban centers, which are often warmer than surrounding, less populated areas. Emissions of small particles, known as aerosols, into the air can also lead to reflection or absorption of the sun's energy.
You’re probably already familiar with many of the little steps you can take to be more climate friendly:
Making your home more energy efficient: Better insulate your roof, basement, and walls; seal your windows; and replace your old light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Reducing the amount of garbage you produce: Take a reusable bag with you when you shop, buy unpackaged goods, and recycle and reuse materials.
Using energy wisely: Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them, use the air conditioner less in the summer, and turn down the heat in the winter.
Some of the Global warming solutions – here.
Recycling helps the environment by conserving our natural resources, saving energy, reducing air and water pollution, and reducing the need for landfill space. Currently, many recycling programs are in place worldwide, but there are no policies that enforce its unequivocal use, yet this is one of the easiest ways of protecting our environment. In order for my policy to be successful, all businesses and consumers need to actively participate. Following the reduce, reuse, and recycle methodology will help to reduce the amount of energy that is used during the elimination of waste products.
Climate change statistics:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Climate_change_statistics
http://www.columbia.edu/~mhs119/Temperature/
Watch this video, it will give you a real wake up call. It tells the true story all based on solid scientific facts:
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