|
|
In the most basic terms, 'Climate change' is a change in the weather conditions that prevail in a certain area, and is the result of the increasing temperature of the Earth's surface. This increase in temperature is occurring faster than it would naturally, which raises many questions as to the cause.
The overwhelming scientific consensus is that human activity is changing the Earth's climate. Burning fossil fuels (methane, petroleum, coal...) releases climate-changing gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap the sun's heat leading to a rise in global temperatures, which in turn causes more extreme weather events.
The South East is forecast to experience some of the most severe impacts because of climate change of any English region over the coming century. Over the next 80 years it is predicted that for the South East there will be an increase in average annual temperatures of between 2.0-2.5°C and 4.0 - 4.50 C and decreases in annual average rainfall of 0 - 10%. We can expect a changing pattern of more extreme weather with floods, and droughts becoming 'normal'.
Many of us can remember Winter snowfalls that now rarely occur and have seen Spring appearing to come earlier every year. Globally, the ten hottest years on record have all been since 1990.
There are various international and national targets set to address the issue of Climate Change. The Government's Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has predicted that the target reduction in greenhouse gases, expressed as CO2 equivalent emissions, should be 80% by 2050. If action is not taken to reduce greenhouse gases within 30 years there could be an irreversible effect on the Global Climate.
Anything that requires energy such as electricity, transport and food/goods production will have produced CO2 in its manufacture. In industrialised nations, it makes up 80% of the greenhouse gas emissions. The growing population and the increased individual lifestyle demands mean that these emissions are accelerating at an alarming rate.