What is climate change?
The arrival of the seasons, rainfall, and global temperatures are just a few of the things that affect our daily lives but we also take for granted. Yet these are just a few examples of the many patterns of weather and climatic conditions that we depend upon to keep our planet habitable for our survival and that of all life on earth.
Perhaps we take them for granted due to their broadly predictable and repetitive nature, but these patterns and conditions can and do change. These changes can occur gradually or rapidly, locally or globally, and they occur in response to various influences as diverse as solar intensity and the chemical composition of the atmosphere. These changes and their effects are signs of climate change.
Many scientists agree that there are increasing signs of climate change across the planet and evidence suggests that global warming is occurring. While global warming and cooling have happened many times in the past, recent global warming seems to correlate with changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere caused by human activity. This warming can be explained by the increasing combustion of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, the gases produced by this and the greenhouse effect. Pollutants shown to be capable of contributing to the greenhouse effect are referred to as greenhouse gases. How will it affect us?
Climate change is a global problem with global impacts.
The complex weather systems and regional climates may change dramatically, in turn leading to the expansion of deserts, melting of the ice caps, loss of habitats, rising sea level, loss of rainforests, and so on.
At the local level it seems that the seasons are being altered by global warming with spring gradually arriving earlier.
Scientists predict that in the UK we should expect more extreme weather such as longer, hotter, drier summers and wetter winters. In the east midlands region it has been predicted that our annual average temperature will increase by 3.2°C and we should expect an increase in rainfall of about 8%. We should also expect more intensive rainfall and an increase in the number of storms.
What should we do about it?
There are many things we can all do to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Help to monitor the changes.
Watching out for the signs of spring is a good example of how you can help to monitor the impacts of climate change at the local level but also contribute to national and global monitoring.
Springwatch is a national campaign from the Woodland Trust and the BBC giving you the opportunity to get involved.
Help to reduce the impact of climate change.
See the Energy page to find out how energy efficiency and using renewable energy can help. Also find out how Transport contributes to climate change and how to limit this.
Help to make the Climate Change Bill law.
A Friends of the Earth Campaign - The Big Ask.
Be prepared for the risks involved. |
