The report provides a general introduction to the climate change issue and reviews selected previous studies. It discusses the greenhouse gases, their sources and sinks, chemical properties, current atmospheric concentrations and distributions, and related uncertainties and relates the greenhouse gases to the processes of climatic change. Once this link is made the report examines those human activities that affect trace-gas emissions and ultimately influence climate change. It discusses the scenarios developed to assist in thinking about possible future emissions and climate change and then presents sensitivity analyses of the modeling results. The report gives a detailed description of existing and emerging technologies that should be considered in the formulation of a comprehensive strategy for mitigating global warming, outlines domestic policy options, and discusses international mechanisms for responding to climate change.