Includes index.

Section 1. The background. Earth, its atmosphere, and where carbon came from ; The carbon cycle : how mother nature circulates carbon and generates fossil fuels -- Section. 2. The problem: Harnessing energy and how fossil fuels are used ; Greenhouse gases and how they affect our planet ; Global warming and its devastating effects -- Section 3. The solutions: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions : the small steps you can take ; Reducing greenhouse gas emissions : the big steps society can take ; Progress is slow : understanding the resistance to change.