Seminar paper from the year 2004 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 1,7, University of Applied Sciences Constanze, course: Environmental Economics, language: English, abstract: The Earth has a natural temperature control system. The greenhouse gases belong to this system. Following we can see the main greenhouse gases: Water vapor: It is a kind of gaseous water (individual water molecules) in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2): This gas gets into the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), and wood or wood products are burned. Nitrous oxide (N2O): It is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of solid waste and fossil fuels. The global climate consists of the atmosphere/earth/ocean/ice/land system. The result of a change in this system is climate change. One sign for climate change is the rise of the temperature. There are natural forces or human activities which can cause climate change. Following I will describe the human activities which are causing the climate change.