Human activities are changing the world's climate. Recent news points to 2007 being the hottest year on record to date. Furthermore, scientists are predicting that by 2100, average global temperatures will rise between 1.0º C and 3.5º C.

Leading to this warming trend is the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. This causes heat-trapping gases including carbon dioxide (CO2) to build up in the atmosphere. The result of this effect is global warming.

A rise in the average temperature of the Earth is one indication of climate change. Other more severe impacts of global warming include extreme weather events, such as ice storms, hail storms, hurricanes and windstorms.

Our changing climate has the potential to alter our environment, ecosystems and economy in fundamental and unpredictable ways. For more information on the subject of global warming, visit Dr. David Suzuki's website.