The main concern of climate change is global warming, which is based on a ‘greenhouse’ effect. The Earth has a natural temperature-control system in which certain atmospheric gases are critical. Water vapour, CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, and ozone are known as greenhouse gases, because they trap some of the heat radiated by the Earth. They act like a blanket wrapped around the globe.

On average, about one-third of the solar radiation that hits the Earth is reflected back to space. Of the remainder, the atmosphere absorbs some but the land and oceans absorb the most. The Earth’s surface becomes warm and, as a result, emits infrared radiation. The greenhouse gases trap the infrared radiation, thereby warming the atmosphere.

Under this section indicators relating to Climate issues can be found.   

Mean Surface Temperature		Sea Surface Temperature
Global Mean Temperature		Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Annual Mean Sea Level		Per Capita Carbon Emissions