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Climate Change The Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases which act like a blanket, trapping energy from the sun, warming the Earth enough to support life. This is known as the greenhouse effect. However, since the industrial revolution, we have produced so much of these heat-trapping gases (like carbon dioxide - CO2), by
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperature, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level.” IPCC scientists have found strong evidence that most of the warming observed during the past 50 years is the result of human activities that produce greenhouse gases, such as burning fossil fuels.
Our Changing Climate
In the South East of England we expect climate change to lead to hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters, higher sea levels and an increase in extreme events such as heat-waves, droughts and flooding. For instance, the heat-wave of 2003 is predicted to become the norm by the summers of the 2050s and to be considered relatively cool by the 2080s.  - Mean annual temperature rise of + 1.2 to + 3.4 oC - Winter rainfall increase of + 6 to + 22 % - Summer rainfall decrease of - 8 to - 23 % - Mean sea level rise in the English Channel of + 54 cm. - Overall increase in temperature and rainfall variability - Higher likelihood of summer heat waves and very wet winters Our local climate is changing – and this already noticeable; the graph below shows how the maximum temperature in Eastbourne has changed over the last fifty years.
 Although the idea of a warmer environment might sound appealing in reality this has many negative consequences that can and will affect our quality of life. If nothing is done to reduce these consequences they will have a profound effect of our daily life. As the climate changes, extreme weather (such as droughts, storms, floods, etc.) that we have already witnessed will become more frequent. Rising sea levels could potentially have a huge effect in Sussex and threaten many of our coastal communities.
There are many ways in which climate change will affect us; the above examples only scratch the surface. The climate change we expect in the next thirty to forty years will be due to greenhouse gas emissions which have taken place in the past. Climate change that occurs later this century will be determined by the emissions that we allow now. We need to adapt our way of life so that we prepare for the changes that are already in the climate system as well as taking immediate action to limit our future greenhouse gas emissions.
What can you do to reduce your impact on the environment?
There are many things that you can do to reduce your impact on the environment and so help to reduce the effects of climate change. Actions that you can take range from simple, no-cost actions such as turning off appliances on standby, to those which will require investment such as insulation and renewable energy.
In the other sections of this website you can find lots of ideas you might want to try to lessen your impact on the environment. There is also much more information available online on climate change and what you can do to make a difference. Please see the resources section of the website for links to other organisations; however, please note that the Eco Faith programme nor its partners takes any responsibility for the content of these sites.
 This page was last updated on 10/05/10 at 09:34:40 Office Use Only: 1/12-02-11/Helen Swyer |
