Unfortunately we are not is a position to prevent global warming but we can act to reduce the long-term effects. Burning fossil fuels is the largest single cause of global warming due to the release of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide that we release today will slowly rise through the atmosphere and will affect the temperature in 30 to 80 years time. It may stay in the atmosphere for up to 200 years. Obviously the weather that we are currently experience is due to carbon dioxide released by fossil fuel burning 30 to 80 years ago. This time lag means that any actions that we instigate will take some years to produce results.

The IPCC has projected carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere over the next century on different scenarios of anthropogenic emissions. The result of doing nothing to limit carbon dioxide emissions is the 'business as usual' line which means that CO₂ concentration could exceed 1300 ppmv at the end of the 21st century (compared to the 280 ppmv pre-industrial level).

The two lower curves would result from drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to cuts of 60% and 80% of emission as they were in 1990.

Naturally the future is almost impossible to predict, but it is clear that we should make strenuous efforts to protect the Worlds environment and in particular its climate. The long-term impacts may be very uncomfortable if we do not act cautiously and decisively.