What are the causes?

Human-induced climate change will affect everyone on earth. The effects predicted by climate change scientists include:

- sea level rises, which will drown many coastal cities and small islands
- more extreme weather events like floods, droughts and hurricanes
- changes in rainfall patterns, altering the timing of seasons

The threat is very real and is starting to affect us all now.

WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE?

Climate change or global warming is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other polluting gases in our atmosphere.

The gases trap heat by forming a blanket around the Earth - like the glass of a greenhouse.

Once released the greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for many years. As they build up, the planet's temperature rises.

Greenhouse gases are released by burning fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - and by cutting down forests.

Nearly all of the CO2 emitted by western industrialised countries come from burning coal, oil and gas for energy.

Globally as well as in the UK, electricity generation is the biggest source of CO2 emissions, amounting to over a third.

WHO CAUSES IT?

It's simple. We all do. At home, work and play

Grounded
An average car produces 3 tonnes of carbon each year, cycling produces none. But as well as hopping on a bike whenever possible, please try and take at least one less flight a year and take the train. Or how about a holiday in the good old UK? And, if it's a work trip, how about using video-conferencing if you can.

Home Sweet Home
Every household in the UK creates around six tonnes of CO2 - every year! And a quarter of our energy demand comes from heating buildings. So, turn down that thermostat by 1 degree C, insulate your loft and if it's a bit nippy, put that snug jumper on!

The Power of Off
The average house has a dozen appliances on stand-by at any one time. Hunt them down, turn them off. That's half a million tonnes of CO2 saved already!

Why not visit our friends at I Count for more tasty tips to reduce CO2.