The Facts on Climate Change
Climate
Climate is the combination of average trends in temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation. Think of it as a region’s average weather conditions over longer periods of time. Humans, animals and plants adapt to the specific climate conditions of their region.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) – trap heat produced by the sun’s rays and redirect it toward the earth. When these gases are present in the air, they act like the glass roof of a greenhouse. They allow sunlight to reach the earth but stop heat from escaping into space. When greenhouse gases are only released by nature, which was the case for thousands of years, the temperature on earth stays relatively constant and ideal for life. When greenhouse gases produced by human activity are added, too much heat is trapped and redirected toward the earth. Ever so slowly, this causes the earth to warm.
Climate Change
Climate change is a change in the average weather that a region experiences. Weather conditions are no longer typical or stable. Change can be caused by natural factors. However, human activity 
Greenhouse gas emissions are a by-product of the things we do, like burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation and heating. Such activities are responsible for the increase in average global temperature and the change in climate. We can already see the impact in some parts of Canada. Buds on some trees might appear earlier in spring, habitat conditions for thousands of ocean and land species could change, some glaciers and ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising, and droughts may become more frequent.
Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint, also known as greenhouse gas footprint, is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment. It’s the “mark” people leave on the earth by virtue of the things we do – a conceptual way to measure our contribution to climate change. By changing some of the things we do and how we do them, we can reduce our carbon footprint. Relative to other jurisdictions in Canada, Nova Scotia is a "big-foot" when it comes to per capita greenhouse gas emissions. In 2005, compared to other Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia was the fourth largest per capita producer of greenhouse gases. The Government of Nova Scotia is taking serious action to change that.
Mitigation
We can slow the pace of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Lessening, or in other words mitigating, climate change is the principle behind setting greenhouse gas emissions targets and supporting the development of low carbon alternatives. The Government of Nova Scotia has set one of the most ambitious climate change targets in Canada and is acting on a plan to meet that target. Check out the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act and Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan.
Adaptation
Although countries around the world are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will take time - 100 years or more - before the climate system stabilizes. We need to learn how to live with the consequences of climate change, and take it into account when planning and building for the future. This is the concept of adaptation. Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Action Plan includes measures to help Nova Scotia prepare for and adapt to climate change.
Sustainable Prosperity
We believe that our society, environment and economy can grow and prosper over the long term, together. We do not have to sacrifice one for another. This is called sustainable prosperity and it's Nova Scotia’s vision for the future – one that we can achieve by taking action now.
To find out more about sustainable prosperity in Nova Scotia, read Opportunities for Sustainable Prosperity
