The Earth’s atmosphere is made of water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases are known as greenhouse gases because they trap the heat of the sun, and allow life to exist on the planet. When too much carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) are produced, more of the sun’s heat gets trapped and temperatures around the world increase, which leads to climate change and disrupts the delicate balance of the Earth’s ecosystems.

Some scientists believe that climate change is a natural part of the Earth’s climate cycles with trees and plant life being an important natural regulator of this cycle. There is increasing evidence that human activities have significantly contributed to the problems associated with climate change. For instance, burning fossil fuels in our vehicles produces greenhouse gases, and cutting down trees disrupts the natural regulation of these gases. Industrial activities that release pollutants into the air also increase greenhouse gas levels. Regardless of what is causing climate change, everyone agrees that it is occurring. Some of the consequences of climate change include changes in precipitation, water temperature, ocean currents, ice cover, and extreme weather events. Some direct health effects are increased incidence of skin cancer, and the increase of water- and mosquito-borne diseases, with rising temperatures. In Canada, scientists predict northern regions, in particular, will be affected by climate change.

Click on Select-A-Career or EnviroCareers to find out more about the environmental jobs related to climate change:

• Environmental Monitor
  
• Meteorologist
  
• University Professor
  
• Environmental Policy Analyst
  
• Green Architect
  
• Climate Change Specialist
  
• Remote Sensing Techologist
  
• Clean Energy Researcher