We need to reduce our carbon footprint to slow down global warming.
Global warming is defined as the increase in the average of the Earth's temperature.
Global warming will lead to climate changes.
Since the Ice Age (about 15,000 years ago) the Earth has been warming slowly due to natural variations in climate. However, since the Industrial Revolution the rate that the Earth has warmed has increased dramatically, largely due to human activity, especially the increase in our dependence on fossil fuels.
A rise in the average temperature on Earth of just 2 degrees Celsius may cause the melting of the Greenland ice cap. This will lead to the sea level rising which will change the map of the world dramatically with many countries disappearing under water. The scientists estimate that maintain a rise of under 2 degree Celsius, the carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere should stay below 400ppm (parts per million). Based on the current rate of the increase in the carbon footprint, they predict that this threshold could be breached in just 10-15 years.
The scientists predict that over the next 30 to 40 years, that a major decrease in global carbon dioxide emissions of 60% will be needed just to stabilise the global warming at current levels.