Climate Change Climate change is not new. The Earth has continually undergone systemic changes in temperature since the dawn of time. In its historical usage, climate change refers to the average variablility of the atmosphere from internal forces on Earth, such as volcanoes, and external forces, such as the elliptical position of the Earth. More recently, climate change has come under the asupis of human activity, something once unfathamable. The great 'areial ocean' known as our atmosphere has been compounded with excessive amounts of green house gases over the past two centuries. As David Suzuki illustrated, our planet has a 'Sacred Balance' and everything in it is interconnected. The air you breathe was once breathed by Jesus, Buddah, Muhammad and every creature that has ever lived. Considering the interconnectivity of everything on Earth, what effect does burning fossil fuels have? Greenhouse gases (GHGs) contribute to the 'greenhouse effect' which traps heat on Earth rather than reflecting it into space. The 'Sacred Balance' of GHGs is tantamount to the temperature on Earth. Without GHGs, Earth would be over 30 degrees C colder. Inversely, an increase in GHGs makes the temperature on Earth increase. Within the last century, the average temperature on Earth has increased by 0.63 degrees C. This coincides with increased concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorocarbons in our atmosphere. These gases are naturally occuring, meaning an imbalance will cause the Earth to alter itself to accomodate the changes. The causes of this imbalance has been linked by International Protocol on Climate Change (IPCC) to industrial use of fossil fuels. Oil, coal and natural gas are the chief contributors world-wide, as we use them to generate electricity, run our cars, fuel our industries and heat and cool our homes. We can make a difference. Recycling saves our environment by reducing GHG emissions and saves precious resources. Canada's waste sector comprises of 3.5 percent of its GHG emissions (Source).  One quarter of the methane emissions are produced from these landfills as well as one percent of Canada's nitrous-oxcide. Both are highly potent gases that trap 21 and 310 times more heat than CO2 respectively (Source). Changing your garbage system in your home, office and busniess can make a difference. We can keep reducing our GHG emissions and help save our planet.  Recycling paper is 70 percent less energy intensive than producing paper from virgin materials. Enough energy would be saved by recycling one tin can to power a television for three hours; a glass bottle would give a computer 25 minutes; and a plastic bottle would power a light-bulb for three hours (Source). Think of the savings we could make. Swap your cans and you will see, you are recycling more and saving energy.