Most scientists now agree that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are slowly increasing the world' s average temperature, and that if the process continues unabated, profound environmental changes and global increases in average sea level will occur.  

In particular, concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) released by the combustion of fossil fuels have increased dramatically during the period of record. For more information, see Online Trends: A Compendium of Data on Global Climate Change, furnished by the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, the primary global-change data and information analysis center of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Decreasing human-caused CO₂ emissions is difficult because all combustion processes, even the cleanest, release the gas. A complete overhaul of the world' s fossil-fuel based economy to one that is reliant instead on clean, renewable energy sources would be neccessary to reverse the trend in buildup of atmospheric CO₂.   

EPA's Global Warming Web Site provides information pertaining to the science of global warming, current and projected impacts of global warming, international and U.S. Government policies and programs, and opportunities for individuals and corporations to help stop global warming.

Climate VISION—Voluntary Innovative Sector Initiatives: Opportunities Now is a Presidential initiative that encourages industry to take voluntary actions using available, cost-effective technologies and best practices to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions intensity.

Climate Leaders, administered by EPA, is a voluntary industry-government partnership that encourages companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies and set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals.

Greenhouse Gases offers access to the Energy Information Administration's reference sites, including the "Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Program" and the latest version of the Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports. 

The US Global Change Research Information Office (GCRIO) offers information on global environmental change research, adaptation/mitigation strategies and technologies, and global change- related educational resources, as well as online text of US agency and administration climate change documents, on behalf of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and its participating Federal Agencies.

globalchange.gov, the website for the Global Change Data and Information System, offers news, global change policy information, and publications, as well as links to federal agency research.

The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI), a non-profit organization of leading companies dedicated to fostering environmental, health and safety excellence and corporate citizenship worldwide, offers a Business and Climate Change website that takes businesses through a basic planning process regarding climate change issues. The site includes an overview of issues, tips for business planning, practical tips on reducing facilities emissions, and information on metrics for measuring emissions reductions. Case studies also appear at the site.

The Global Climate and Energy Project led by Stanford University seeks to unite scientific researchers and private industry from around the world in the search for commercially viable technologies that foster the development of a global energy system where greenhouse emissions are much lower than today.

Global Greenhouse Gas Register was launched by the World Economic Forum to stimulate the disclosure and management of worldwide climate emissions by participating companies.

California Climate Action Registry is a non-profit public/private partnership that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce GHG emissions.

PowerSwitch! is a program of the World Wildlife Fund that challenges the power sector to become CO2-free by mid-century and make a major switch to clean energy.

Carbon Disclosure Project conducts an annual survey and reports on how companies, particularly those in the FT500 Global Index, are addressing climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the shift to a carbon-constrained economy.

Articles and Publications 

EPA posts U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories each year. These reports include emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) methane(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and removal of these gases by sinks.

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change offers a wide range of reports, briefs, and policy analyses related to climate change. Titles include Greenhouse & Statehouse: The Evolving State Government Role in Climate Change, and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Transportation.

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2001 is an annual report of the Energy Information Administration, documenting and discussing emissions of specific greenhouse gases. The Energy Information Administration also offers a report on World Energy Use and Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 1980-2001.

Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Energy is an online publication from the Energy Information Administration that provides an overview of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, with particular focus on energy-related emissions.

Growing with Less Greenhouse Gases, a report from the National Governors Association, cites expanding transportation choices, conserving greenspaces, and promoting new community designs as effective smart growth strategies for communities that result in reducing greenhouse gases.

West Coast governors unite on global warming strategy reports on the governors of California, Washington and Oregon agreeing in 2003 to a regional strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

Massachusetts' Climate Protection Plan (PDF), unveiled in 2004, is a comprehensive plan for action to reduce pollution, cut energy demands and nurture job growth in the Commonwealth. The plan urges all sectors to partner with the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2010. It further calls for an additional 10 percent reduction by 2020.

Leaders of Northeast States Will Participate in Regional Strategy to Curb Emissions reports on ten governors agreeing to join in a regional strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants using a market-based emissions trading system.

College Complies with Kyoto Protocol reports that in October 2003, Lewis & Clark College become the first campus in the nation to comply with the greenhouse gas emissions targets called for in the Kyoto Protocol.

Rocky Mountain Institute offers a number of publications online as PDF files that suggest ways for citizens and businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while saving money at the same time. Titles include Cool Citizens: Everyday Solutions to Climate Change Household Solutions Brief and Climate—Making Sense and Making Money. RMI also offers The New Business Climate: A Guide to Lower Emissions and Better Business Performance, which can help companies determine whether to participate in the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) that conducts electronic trading of emissions credits.

Last updated: January 31, 2005

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