Climate change
Climate change is now accepted as a reality by the majority of the world's climate scientists and governments. It is caused by the growing amount of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' in the atmosphere.
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The problem comes from the way we live our lives. Burning oil, coal and gas in factories, homes, cars and planes increases the amount of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' in the atmosphere. This accelerates the complex processes which result in climate change.
On average every person in Staffordshire produces four times as much carbon dioxide as can be absorbed by the natural environment. That's 8.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every one of us and that doesn't include air travel. |
There is great debate about exactly how climate change will affect our future.
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Changes predicted by the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) include more droughts, poor air quality spreading to the rural areas, greater risks of flooding and landslides, and damage to the transport network from extreme weather events.
Here in Staffordshire it's difficult to predict what problems we may face although extreme weather conditions are likely to become more common. |
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(c) John Barnett |
Events such as high winds and flash floods will lead to more property damage. As our climate shifts farming and forestry will be particularly affected.
New weather patterns will pose problems for wildlife too, particularly those species which have very specific environmental needs. |
Many Governments, including our own, have committed to an international agreement, signed in the Japanese city of Kyoto, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The UK Government has set itself the challenge of meeting and surpassing the Kyoto targets, by achieving a 20% reduction on 1990 levels by 2010.
However, even this may not be enough. In the long term the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution recommend that we should aim for a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emmissions by 2050.
Last Modified:
15/08/2007 08:53:52
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