The terms 'global warming' and 'greenhouse effect' only hit the headlines in the 1980s. Environmental scientists working in Hawaii found that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere had increased by 8% between 1959 and 1983. They attributed these figures to man's accelerating usage of fossil fuels. Scientists determined that harmful gasses from cars, industry, and farming were actually the root of our planet's woes.

However, both global warming and the greenhouse effect are essential to life on Earth. As the sun warms the earth, certain gasses in the atmosphere act like the glass of a greenhouse - trapping heat and keeping the planet warm enough to support life. Without them we'd be plunged down to a freezing -18°C. The problem only occurs when subtle changes upset the balance.

Scientists determined that increased concentrations of water vapour, CFCs, methane, and carbon dioxide were actually harming our environment. Collectively known as 'greenhouse gases', intensified amounts of these gases effectively insulate the Earth and prevent heat from escaping. This is causing global temperatures to rise to alarming levels.