The Earth’s climate is continuously changing. In the past, the climate has varied due to natural causes, such as the changing distance between the Earth and the sun. Scientists have found evidence to show that the average global temperature has been as warm as 27C and as cool as 7C.
Over the last century, climate change has occurred at a faster rate than can be explained by natural causes, and it is thought that human activities are responsible. When we hear about ‘climate change’ in the news, it tends to refer to the accelerated temperature change, or global warming, that is occurring due to human activity.
In the last century, global average temperatures have risen by about 0.75C. It is predicted that human activities will continue to cause climate change in the future, with temperatures rising by between 1.4C and 5.8C over the next century.
What are the impacts of climate change?
The impacts of climate change will be felt all over the world, and it is important that everybody plays their part to reduce the impact they are having on the climate. We need to ‘think global, act local’ so that all our local efforts add up to reduce global changes.
The UK is the world’s eighth largest emitter of carbon dioxide. In London we produce forty four million tonnes of CO2 every year, which is 8% of the country’s total emissions.
