The dramatic effects of climate changes

In addition to other natural influences, the rise in CO₂ in the atmosphere caused by human beings is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect, namely global warming. Global warming is not only reflected in the rise of average temperatures. The indirect consequences, such as the rise in the sea level, agricultural damage and extreme weather phenomena with devastating effects, are equally serious.

National and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases constitute the most promising approach to bring the climate system back into balance. The most successful political programmes in this regard are the Kyoto Protocol, The European Emissions Trading Scheme and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Act. A common feature of all these programmes is the underlying emissions control mechanism – the «cap and trade» system.