Key learning points

1. A carbon footprint is a measure of the amount of greenhouse gases something releases into the atmosphere.
2. Some people and countries contribute more to climate change than others.
3. Tackling climate change needs a huge reduction in the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
4. China is taking action in different ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Keywords

• Climate change - a large-scale and long-term change in the planet’s climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures

• Greenhouse gases - gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat

• Renewable energy - sources of energy that can be reused and will not be used up or run out

• Hydropower - energy that comes from moving water such as fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls and waves at sea

Common misconception