Impact of climate change
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Impact of climate change
"The earth is kept warm by the greenhouse effect. Certain gases in the atmosphere (so-called greenhouse gases) absorb energy that is radiated from the Earth's surface, and so warm the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon without which life on Earth as we know it would not be possible, as the Earth would be 30°C cooler. However, our modern lifestyles have resulted in us releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases - like carbon dioxide and methane - into the atmosphere, enhancing the greenhouse effect and so pushing up temperatures globally."
Likely changes in the UK include:
- An increase in flooding from rain and coastal storms, with the Thames Barrier currently raised 13 times a year compared to 3 when built
- More intense heat-waves: by 2040, typical summers may be hotter than that of 2003, when tens of thousands of people died across Europe
- Water shortages in some areas
- Long-term negative impact on the economy
- Rise in incidence of skin cancer
- Appearance of poisonous insects, spiders and scorpions, and other pests
Likely changes worldwide include:
- Increase in both floods and droughts
- Rising sea levels which threaten low-lying islands and regions
- Tens of millions of refugees from areas rendered uninhabitable
- Threat to biodiversity - 30% of the world's plant and animal species could be on the way to extinction by 2050
- Increase in the intensity of hurricanes
- Threat to water supplies for drinking and irrigation
- Decrease in agricultural productivity in the poorest countries
- Long-term negative impact on the global economy
Useful links
Background information
Carbon calculators
Measure up your carbon footprint using tools such as:
Energy saving
Almost half the UK's CO2 emissions come from the things we do every day.
Ethical Transport Association
Use the buyer's guide to check the emissions of your current car and the greener alternatives.
Freecycle
Help reduce manufacturing emissions by donating rather than disposing of unwanted items. Almost everything gets taken within hours.
Government advice
Check out the Government public information services on greener living.
UK Environment and greener living
Local food
Track down local producers, suppliers and farmers' markets, thereby reducing emissions from food transport.
Low-Carbon Buildings Programme
The UK government's grant scheme for making homes more energy efficient.
Offset schemes
Contribute money to schemes designed to reduce carbon emissions to offset emissions caused by you own activities.
Rainforest
Sponsor an acre of endangered rainforest, avoiding the release of hundreds of tonnes of CO2.
Real Climate Science
A blog keeping track of developments in climate science and criticism bad science from climate change deniers.
Recycle Now
Find local recycling points for all kinds of products.
Seat 61
How to travel from the UK to anywhere without flying.
US Book Publishing
The US book publishing industry is also conducting a similar programme and the Book Industry Study Group has produced a report on Enivironmental Trends and Climate Impact.
Publishers Association 29B Montague Street, London WC1B 5BW Tel: 020 7691 9191
Booksellers Association 272 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1BA Tel: 020 7802 0802