CLIMATE CHANGE

Since the formation of the atmosphere, global climate system has the tendency to change in time and space and this change is related with the natural changes of the other components of the earth/atmosphere system. However, since the mids of 19th century a new era has begun where in addition to these natural changes human activity started to affect the global climate.

Since the beginning of industrialization in 1850s especially as a result of burning fossil fuels, land use changes, destruction of forests and distorted industrialization, greenhouse gases accumulated within the atmosphere, affecting the chemical characteristics of the atmosphere and in the long term causing climate change on a global scale.

Infrared rays emitted by the sun reach our planet after a journey of millions of kilometers. Part of these rays warm the earth and the seas by hitting the earth; the other part is reflected to space after striking the ground. However, greenhouse gases in the atmosphere prevent these infrared rays to pass through the atmosphere by absorbing them. This absorption event leads to the heating of the atmosphere.

The more the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more heat is absorbed. As a result, average temperature of the Earth rises.

Global warming due to increases in greenhouse gases refers to increases in global average surface temperature. The most important reason of global warming is the rapid increase of greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) in the atmosphere.

Changes of concentrations of GHGs

	Before Industrialization	2005	Change %
CO₂	280 ppm	379 ppm	% 35
CH₄	715 ppb	1774 ppb	% 148
N₂0	270 ppb	319 ppb	% 18

According the 4th Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Climate Change Panel - IPCC in 2007, global warming is an undisputed fact and humans are responsible for the major part of it. The total amount of emissions of the 6 major greenhouse gases from the energy industry, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and land use have increased by 70 % in between 1970-2004 and increased to 49 billion tons CO₂eq. During the process, the annual growth rate in between 1995-2004 is almost 2 times the annual growth rate in between 1070-2004. 65 % of human related greenhouse gases are caused by burning fossil fuels. Global average surface temperature has increased 0.74 °C in the last century.

This warming trend after the 1980's became more evident and during this period high temperature records were broken. In terms of global averages year 1998 was recorded as the warmest year since the temperature observations and measurements began in 1860.

Due to the rising temperature, significant changes in socio-economic and ecological systems and human life are expected to occur worldwide such as, changes in the hydrological cycle, land and sea ice melting, the contraction of surface snow and ice cover, sea level rises, increased frequency of severe weather events, drought, desertification, and increasing outbreak of diseases and pests. Some of these changes have already started especially since the last quarter of 20th century.

According to relevant research, an average of 2 °C and above temperature increase compared to Industrial Revolution levels will have dangerous and irreversible effects. It is very important to limit the temperature increase by 2 °C in this century. However it hardly seems possible with business as usual scenarios and standards of living.

Some events expected to occur after global warming;

International History of Climate Change

International Conference on Human Environment was held in Stockholm in 1972 and solutions to environmental problems were decided to be addressed international cooperation.
The same year United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) became an important institution that initiated cooperation.
The first World Climate Conference was organized in Geneva in February 1979. It was decided to collect scientific data, investigate the size and possible effects of climate change.
In 1988, World Meteorological Organization and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were established by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In 1990, 1st IPCC Assessment Report was published. The report accepted that human activity has a clear effect on the climate system.
One of the conventions opened for signature in Rio Earth Summit in 1992 was United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The purpose of this convention is to limit the human induced greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to a certain level.
In 1995, IPCC 2nd Assessment Report was published. New data in the report was more comprehensive and clear about the human impact on climate. 1st Conference of Parties was held in Berlin.
In 1997 the first step was taken in Kyoto to combat climate change and the Protocol came into force in 2005. The difference of this Protocol was the development of market mechanisms and system of sanctions in case of failure.
IPCC 3rd Assessment Report was published in 2001. United States, unsigned the Kyoto Protocol during the Bush administration.
While the Kyoto Protocol was launched in 2005, it was decided to begin negotiations for the post- Kyoto period.
In 2007, IPCC 4th Assessment Report was published and indicated that climate change seen in the last 50 years was significantly due to human activity.
Climate change was in the agenda of the G8 Summit held in 2009. The decision was to lower the greenhouse gas emissions by 80 % by 2050 to prevent the warming of the earth more than 2 °C before industrialization levels, but has not released details about how to do it. The same year Copenhagen Criteria was signed in COP 15, but it was not binding.
In December 2011 17th COP was held in Durban and decided that negotions of a liability period after 2020 should start by 2015 at the latest.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Some events expected to occur after global warming;

International History of Climate Change

Carbon Footprint

Our Services

Carbon Offset Projects

e-Bulletin