Why reduce greenhouse gases?
The production of energy including electricity from fossil fuels, such as coal, gas or oil, emits carbon dioxide which is the major greenhouse gas. The increase in greenhouse gases has been shown to be the cause of climate change.
Climate change is now happening even faster than scientists had previously predicted just ten years ago. A recent United Nations survey of 700 of the world's top scientists agreed that temperatures could now be six degrees warmer by the end of the century, and not two degrees as had been previously estimated.
Reducing fossil energy consumption will not only reduce greenhouse gases it will also reduce your energy costs.
14 June 2007 flood in Radford Semele, Cubbington and Whitnash
Climate change
Over the past decade abnormal weather conditions have made headline news in many parts of the world. Storms of unusual ferocity, prolonged periods of drought and devastating floods provide strong evidence that climate change is underway.
The world's leaders have been meeting regularly to further plans to tackle the issue. However it is not just up to our politicians to bring about change. We all can, and should, be doing our bit. Here are just a few examples of the ways in which we could be affected across the globe:
- 17% of Bangladesh will be under water if sea levels rise by just one metre.
- The Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean are one of the several low-lying chains at risk of disappearance: few rise more than six feet above sea level.
- The Atlantic's 'Hurricane Alley' is set to become more dangerous over the next 40 years. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and breached the levees.
- The Great Barrier Reef will be dead by 2030 if carbon dioxide levels are not tackled.
- The Arctic Ocean ice packs have thinned by 40%, threatening the lives of polar bears.
Calculating your carbon emissions helps identify those areas in which reductions could usefully be made, and is quite revealing - see 'calculators' on panel to the left.
1998 Good Friday flood in Leamington