The ultimate climate change FAQ: browse by topic

A list of the questions and answers covered so far in the Guardian's ultimate climate change FAQ

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Big picture
What exactly is the climate?
What is climate change?
Is the world really getting warmer?
Are humans definitely causing global warming?
Does a small temperature rise actually matter?
How much warmer will the planet get?
Is there a scientific consensus on man-made climate change?

Science
What is the greenhouse effect?
What is the carbon cycle?
When did we discover man-made climate change?
Are hurricanes getting worse because of global warming?
Haven't we had 'global cooling' lately?
If water vapour is the key greenhouse gas, why are man-made emissions important?
How do trees and forests relate to climate change?
How do volcanoes affect the climate?
Is the sun causing global warming?
What was the Little Ice Age?

Emissions and footprints
What is carbon?
Which industries and activities emit the most carbon?
What are CO2e and global warming potential (GWP)?
What are 'outsourced emissions'?
What are the main man-made greenhouse gases?
Can 'peak oil' help slow climate change?

Politics & society
What is the Kyoto protocol and has it made any difference?
If global warming was such a big deal wouldn't governments have sorted it out?
Which nations are most responsible for climate change?
What is the economic cost of climate change?
What is the Stern review?
What is emissions trading?
What is the emissions trading scheme and does it work?
What is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)?

Technology
Why do we need low-carbon energy – and how much is currently produced?
What is carbon capture and storage?
What are the main types of carbon capture and storage technology?
What is geo-engineering?
What are biofuels and are they a good idea?

Impacts
What are climate change feedback loops?
Will rising seas put cities such as New York and London under water?
Will the Gulf Stream slow down, freezing the UK and northern Europe?
Are tornadoes affected by climate change
Could climate change be a good thing?
Will climate change cause wars?

The ultimate climate change FAQ

• This list last updated: 15.09.2011
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