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"Today, the time for doubt has passed. The IPCC has unequivocally affirmed the warming of our climate system, and linked it directly to human activity." - United nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 17nov07

Many scientists and Governments believe the activity of humans is causing the climate to change.

For a comprehensive overview - including links, quotes and a timeline see the Instant Expert:Climate Change Guide at the New Scientist website. The BBC has an animated guide to climate change, while to see the science behind climate change, visit the climatic research unit , An Inconvenient Truth or Woods Hole Research Center websites. To see short films and animations see the climate challenge or green tv websites. The BBC's web guide is found in its climate chaos section. To see photographic evidence of the effects of climate change on the planet, such as receding glaciers see the world view of global warming website.

Some scientists believe the Earth is getting warmer because of what’s termed the greenhouse effect. This term explains how gases from the burning of fossil fuels, principally Carbon Dioxide (CO2) become trapped in the atmosphere and in effect they are over-insulating the planet. It’s rather like wearing a winter coat on a milder day.

"Every shred of scientific evidence shows global warming is really happening - politicians around the world had better start dealing with it" - New Scientist Editorial 18mar06

The main thrust of climate change prevention is through carbon reduction. The
international community is seeking to reduce carbon emissions via 2 different routes. Signatories of the Kyoto Protocol, which is a climate change treaty, have committed to cut their carbon emissions by 5% by 2012 through capping them under agreed quota's.
The Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate is US inspired and
proposes no mandatory limits on emissions but believes in voluntary measures to reduce the intensity of carbon emissions per dollar of economic output. This will be achieved through the development and introduction of new technologies and possibly the greater use of hydrogen as a fuel. The BBC have an overview of both Kyoto and Asia-Pacific.

"'our actions over the coming few decades could create risks of major disruption to economic and social activity, later in this century and in the next, on a scale similar to those associated with the great wars and the economic depression of the first half of the 20th Century".- Nicholas Stern, reporting on the economic consequences of unfettered climate change. Oct06 - BBC News Website

In the UK, the Government is hoping the amount of CO2 emissions we generate will be reduced by using renewable sources of energy, by adopting low carbon lifestyles (see
the Energy Saving Trust) that helps to change and make our energy consumption patterns more efficient, and through encouraging sustainability at home, at work, in our communities and nationally. We all need to do our bit.

Grants to reduce carbon emissions around the home may be available (see Low Carbon Buildings Programme) from the Government to install renewable energy systems and also provide house insulation.

For further information you may also want to take a look at the following links:

Carbon Trust
A Government funded company promoting the reduction of carbon emissions among businesses.

Climate Care Ltd
Purchase an allowance that offsets your annual carbon usage in one go through tree planting.

Climate Challenge
A UK Government Website promoting climate change awareness through short films and animations.

Climate Information
Website looking at the global issues behind climate change. Includes facts, figures and practical advice.

CO2 Balance
Purchase an allowance that offsets your annual carbon usage in one go through tree planting. Includes a CO2 calculator.

CRed
The Community Carbon Reduction Scheme project is based in the school of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia. Promoting climate protection it gives useful information on reducing carbon emissions.

The Climate Group
An international charity devoted to promoting and sharing best practices in carbon reduction projects around the world to Governments, companies and organisations.

The Climate Research Unit
An academic website that explains the science behind climate change.

The Energy Saving Trust
A non profit organisation established to promote energy efficiency in the home. It also gives advice on what grants may be available to improve energy conservation, for example on insulation.

Energy Star
US Government website advising households and businesses on energy efficiency.

Future Forests
Off set your carbon pollution, for example a journey by air, through supporting this companies tree planting programme.

Green TV
Multi Agency website promoting awareness on the Environment and climate change through short films broadcast on the internet.

The Hadley Centre
Is part of the Met Office, and researchs into climate change.

IPCC
UN Agency website looking at the impact of and solutions to climate change.

IT Environment
A Scientific American Resource commenting upon the environmental impact of IT hardware

Stop Climate Chaos
A group of leading environmental organistaions and relief agencies collaborating to campaign for measures that will mitigate the effect of climate change upon the planet.

The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research
Academic organisation that co-ordinates various disciplines research into climate change. Its aim is to promote public awareness and develop sustainable solutions.

The UK Climate Impact Programme
Government funded organisation that exists to prepare companies for the effects of climate change.

UK Power
Calculator that will work out the running costs of your electrical appliances.

Woodland Trust
Has a tree planting programme to offset the carbon emissions of Companies.

 

 

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