About Climate Change?

What is climate change?

The climate of our planet has always been changing; previously changes have been a result of natural causes, changes in the earth’s orbit, fluctuations in the sun's energy, volcanic eruptions, and interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere.

However, today there are indications that increased human activity is increasing the rate and magnitude of climate changes. The main human influence on global climate is likely to be the increase in emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.

The natural Greenhouse Effect is important for the existence of life on earth; it describes the gases which surround the earth trapping some of the suns heat, keeping the temperature at around 15 degrees C. Since the industrial revolution, human activities have resulted in an increase in natural greenhouse gases. The accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere enhances the greenhouse effect.

At present, just over 7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted globally each year through fossil fuel use, and an additional 1.6 billion tonnes through land use change, largely by deforestation. An increase in these gases in the atmosphere enhances the atmosphere's ability to trap heat, which leads to an increase in the average surface temperature of the Earth.

Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long period. There are global changes expected as a result of climate change in temperature, wind and rainfall patterns. 

Ø      The earth has warmed by 0.74°C over the last hundred years. Around 0.4°C of this warming has occurred since the 1970s. By 2100, global average temperatures are predicted to rise by between 1.4°C and 5.8°C. (the global average temperature during the last ice age was only around 5°C lower than today).

Ø      By the second half of the 21st century, wintertime precipitation in the northern mid to high latitudes and Antarctica will rise, however, Australasia, Central America and Southern Africa is likely to see decreases in winter precipitation.

Ø      Global sea levels are likely to rise between 200mm and 600mm by the end of this century, as a result of continued melting of ice caps, glaciers and sea ice, changes in rainfall patterns and intensification of tropical cyclones. It is thought the West Antarctic ice sheet is unlikely to collapse this century. If it does fall apart, sea level rises would be enormous.

Ø      More hot days over land areas and fewer cold days and frost.

Ø      More intense precipitation events.

Carbon footprinting and reducing your 

effect on climate change

Calculate your carbon footprint!

Everyone has a carbon footprint - it's your own personal measure of how much carbon dioxide you create and how much you contribute to climate change. Follow the links on this page to the Act on CO2 calculator (a Directgov website) to find out what your carbon footprint is. You'll also get a personalised action plan with recommendations about how you can help tackle climate change. Marches Energy Agency also have a carbon calculator and you can offset your carbon emissions through a number of projects locally.

We have highlighted a series of small steps everyone can try to make your lives more sustainable. If you try some of the steps below you will be making a reduction on your carbon footprint and will be helping address the global issues of climate change. If you try one activity a day you could be greener in a fortnight.

Improve your home

·                                 Turning your thermostat down by just one degree could reduce carbon emissions and cut fuel bills by up to 10 per cent.

·                                 Think about insulating your home. Loft insulation is the most cost-effective and energy efficient measure to reduce losses, and the easiest to install. You could also consider installing draught proofing.

·                                 Using low energy lighting can reduce the amount of energy used in lighting your home by between 50%-75%. Best of all, low-energy light bulbs last up to 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and save you money.

·                                 Bin the plastic bag – next time you go shopping, take your own bag and refuse the ones offered at the checkout. If you need a bag, buy a ‘bag for life’ or a cloth bag that you can reuse.

·                                 Buy local, seasonal food – and purchase items with less packaging. Start with a few items – you’ll be surprised how much nice, fresh stuff you discover!

·                                 Recycle more! – you may already be recycling your bottles, cans and newspapers, but did you know you can recycle plastic bottles and tetrapak containers at many recycling outlets across Shropshire?

·                                 Turn your heating down by one degree – you won’t notice the difference but you will save energy and cut your bills.

 

Using household appliances

·                                 If you have access to a suitable space, hanging your clothes outside rather than using the tumble dryer will reduce your CO2 emissions. They will dry quickly and smell fresh too.

·                                 Invest in an A-rated dishwasher, because a well-filled load once a day is more efficient than many bowls of hot water, or a running tap, to wash dishes.

·                                 Choose a laptop instead of a desktop computer, as on average a laptop consumes around 30% less power.

·                                 Stand-by energy is wasted energy. By switching everything off you are saving yourself around £37 each year.

·                                 Only boil as much water as you need in your kettle.

On the road

·                                 Walk rather than drive on short journeys. It’s healthier, cheaper, probably not that much slower once you’ve had to find somewhere to park, and will reduce your carbon footprint immediately.

·                                 Reduce the number of short trips you make in the car. Walking, cycling, or taking public transport helps reduce local air pollution and the climate change effects of using vehicles to get around.