Climate change and CO2
Climate change affects all of us - we can all rise to the challenge of being part of the solution.
What is climate change?
Climate refers to temperature, wind and rainfall patterns experienced over a long period. Changes in the earth's climate are a natural phenomenon which happens gradually over a very, very long period of time allowing adaption of both plants and animals. The changes we are experiencing in our climate currently are happening at a much faster rate. In fact, global temperatures have risen by 0.74°C over the last century alone. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leave little doubt that human activity has been a major driver of this rise. The main cause is the rise in the accumulation of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide. CO2 is emitted through the burning of fossil fuels.
Our climate is determined by the sun and the atmosphere which is made up of various gases. We know that the Earth's climate has changed before from evidence of human records going back over hundreds of years as well as data from ice-cores, tree rings and rocks that also goes back hundreds of thousands of years
Over 40% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from our homes and when we travel, on average each household creates 6 tonnes of CO2 a year.
What are the effects of climate change?
For the UK the effects may include:
- A milder climate - August 2003 experienced the highest temperature in the UK ever recorded
- Changing rainfall patterns with increased risk of droughts, flash flooding and severe storms
- Damage to crops and risk of forest fires
- Rising sea levels - major risk to properties in some coastal and low lying areas
- Displaced wildlife and altered natural landscapes
The consequences would be social, environmental and economic. Energy Action Devon is working to reduce the impact of climate change by reducing our use of fossil fuels through promoting energy efficiency. The Climate Change Act of November 2008 commits the UK to reducing carbon dioxide emissions of by least 26% by 2020 with a long-term goal of an 80% reduction by 2050
Future projections
There can be many projections into the future climate; however, due to uncertainty because of our knowledge limitations into climate systems and computing resources available, it is difficult to determine what the exact future will look like. This is where the computer modelling projections take place using different scenarios based on economic and social growth. Even if greenhouse gas emissions where to completely stop today, the long lifespan of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere means that we cannot avoid future climate change, due to the carbon dioxides presence in the atmosphere.
Despite the uncertainties, all models show that the Earth will warm in the next century, with a consistent geographical pattern. (DECC, 2011)
For more information on global temperature records, visit the Met Office website
You can listen and watch a climate change video with further useful information here:
• Energy Saving Trust
• Department of Energy and Climate Change
• Act on CO2