Fundamentos e implicaciones del cambio climático. Una visión global

Abstract

Accumulation of greenhouse gases from human activities in the atmosphere is causing an increase of temperatures in the atmosphere and oceans. This process of climate change has negative global repercussions. This paper aims to introduce a general view of the climate change phenomenon, as well as its economic consequences and the most appropriate policies to be implemented in order to deal with the problem. We proceed, firstly, to review empiric evidences and forecast relating to the climate change process. Secondly, we analyze the worldwide evolution of CO2 emissions. Thirdly we introduce the concept of social cost of carbon, which it is used in order to estimate the economic harm caused by those emissions. Finally, we study the international agreements and policies against climate change.