A SHORT GUIDE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
What climate is
The term 'climate' normally describes the average weather we get over a long period of time. When our climate
changes, the weather we experience locally day to day can also change.
Over the millions of years of the earth's existence, the climate has changed many times. However, when we use the
term 'climate change' now, it is to describe shifts in temperature over approximately the last 100 years and the next
100 years or so.
Why climate is changing
It is now accepted that man-made global warming is changing our climate.
Our society depends on fossil fuels to produce the energy we use every day. They fuel the power stations that supply
our electricity, heat our homes and fuel our cars. By burning fossil fuels we release carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the most important man-made greenhouse gas and a direct cause of global warming.
What climate change means to you and me
- The seasons are becoming confused. Daffodils are coming up in January and ladybirds are waking up before their prey - which threatens their future
- The UK is getting warmer and by the 2050s average temperatures may be as much as 3.5°C higher in summer. This sounds like more time on the beach, but extreme weather could make summers unbearable
- White Christmases will be a thing of the past as our winters become milder and wetter
- Sea levels are rising, and could be as much as 80cm higher by the 2080s - threatening some of our favourite coastal areas
- Changes to insurance costs and coverage are expected and areas at risk from flood may not be covered
- Melting polar ice caps are threatening polar bears who have to swim increasing distances to find sea ice to live on
What we can do about climate change
Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas that causes climate change. The more we emit, the more warming will
occur and the more we save, the lower we make our risk.
The good news is there are lots of ways we can tackle climate change. Many of them have other benefits, such as
lower fuel bills, new jobs and a better environment. To find out more about things you can do and why the things you
already do matter, explore the 100 ideas house.