Wales attempts to reduce emissions

The Welsh government has made a plea to the people of Wales to "play [their] part" and help make the country a more environmentally friendly place.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the country have been slowly rising for the past few years - something that the government believes can be prohibited if everybody in the country takes some responsibility and interest in the problem.

A big reason that Wales is so affected by greenhouse gas emissions is that it has a high share of heavy industry and electricity generation - far greater than that in the rest of the UK.

"In the early 18th century, the industries established during the reign of Elizabeth I experienced a new vigour. Iron-making in Pontypool and Bersham, lead and silver mining in Flintshire and Cardiganshire, copper smelting in Neath and Swansea and coalmining in west Glamorgan and Flintshire increased substantially," BBC Wales History says.

The Welsh government has set targets of emission reduction of three per cent per year.

"But our targets can only be achieved if everyone - government at all levels, people, communities and businesses all play their part," said Environment Minister John Griffiths.

Although the majority of Wales' greenhouse emissions do come from the energy sector (36 per cent in 2010), and business (12 per cent), a lot of the emissions do come from the activities of the people of Wales themselves.

Road transport made up for 12 per cent of the harmful emissions, whereas domestic heating and cooking accounted for ten per cent.

Many people in Wales are not aware of the direct impact that they have on the environment.

One way to encourage people to take responsibility is by educating them of the problem and the consequences.

Many people are oblivious to how greenhouse gases are emitted, and what they do to the environment.

Scientists, however, who are increasingly worried about the greenhouse effect, are eager for the ordinary man to be educated about thermal radiation.