As the world's expanding population burns large quantities of fossil fuels and simultaneously cuts down large expanses of forests worldwide, the concentrations of CO2 and other greenhouse gases are building up in the atmosphere. There is mounting evidence that this shift in Earth's atmosphere will lead to global changes and potentially major climatic disruptions.
Human and ecological systems are already vulnerable to a range of environmental pressures, including climate extremes and variability. Global warming is likely to amplify the effects of other pressures and to disrupt our lives in numerous ways. Significant impacts on our health, the vitality of forests and other natural areas, the distribution of freshwater supplies, and the productivity of agriculture are among the probable consequences of climate change.
On a business as usual path, the world is headed to concentrations far higher than have been observed during the time of human civilization and to levels not seen on the planet for millions of years--and all in one century, a geologic "blink of an eye." The faster the rate of change in climate, the less time there will be for both ecological and socio-economic systems to adapt and the greater the potential for "surprises" or unanticipated events. Given the long time lags between cause and effect and between effect and remedy, a prudent course of action is to slow the rate of change. Investing now to protect Earth's climate will enable our children and grandchildren to live in a world that is not dramatically altered by an enhanced greenhouse effect.
President and First Lady | Vice President and Mrs. Gore
Record of Progress | The Briefing Room
Gateway to Government | Contacting the White House | White House for Kids
White House History | White House Tours | Help
Privacy Statement