(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in South Africa think global warming is visibly affecting the earth, according to a poll by TNS Research Surveys. 70 per cent of respondents believe climate change is already having a big effect on the world’s weather.

The term global warming refers to an increase of the Earth’s average temperature. Some theories say that climate change might be the result of human-generated carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. In 2007, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report which states that global warming has been "very likely"—or 90 per cent certain—caused by humans burning fossil fuels.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. South Africa adhered to the Kyoto Protocol in 2002.

On Jul. 21, South African environment minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk warned that global warming is affecting the ecosystem of the renowned Kruger National Park and said many of the animal species living there could face extinction as a result, adding, "If the phenomenon continues unabated, the damage to one of South Africa’s most celebrated and popular conservation and tourism areas could be shattering." Van Schalkwyk urged for "global action" to curb climate change.

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - "Climate change is already having a big effect on the world’s weather."

Source: TNS Research Surveys
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,000 South African adults in seven major metropolitan areas, conducted in February 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.

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