Contextualising Climate Change: Theoretical Considerations A Chilunjika PhD Candidate: Department of Public Management and Governance University of Johannesburg D E Uwizeyimana Department of Public Management and Governance, University of Johannesburg How to cite this article: Chilunjika, A. & DE Uwizeyimana 2015. Contextualising Climate Change: Theoretical Considerations, Administratio Publica, 8(4):202-229. ABSTRACT This article aims to provide a conceptual and theoretical analysis of global warming and climate change as two biggest environmental and humanitarian crises of our time. It also discusses the anthropogenic and natural causes as the two main causes of global warming and climate change. By doing so, the article seeks to bridge the knowledge gap that exists between the climate change scientist community and the lay people who are most likely to be affected by the effects of climate change and global warming. In order to do so, the article deals with questions such as: What is climate change and its main causes? What is greenhouse gases (GhG) emission and how do greenhouse gases cause global warming and why should a lay person living in a country such as South Africa be concerned with global warming or climate change? The methodology applied in the article is essentially qualitative and relies on a conceptual and theoretical analysis of available literature. The research found that the GhGs emitted by both natural and anthropogenic activities are behind the dramatic accumulation of CO₂ and other Ozone layer depleting gases. However, the anthropogenic sources have been by far the largest climate change driver over the past half century. Burning coal to generate energy is the main source of CO₂ emissions. People need to reduce their dependency on coal fired energy production in order to contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change and its effects. INTRODUCTION Climate change or global warming is one of the biggest environmental and humanitarian crises of our era. Climate change is changing our economy and communities in diverse ways. Scientists warn that if we do not aggressively reduce the emissions of the greenhouse gases