Environment

Climate change

Arrid earth and blue sky scene

A healthy climate

Climate refers to average weather patterns, such as temperature and rainfall. Earth’s climate has changed many times over the millennia, due to natural causes. However, in the last 100 years, the average temperature on Earth has gone up by about 0.74°C +/- 0.18°C*. It sounds insignificant but it’s enough to cause droughts, floods and higher sea levels.

The term ‘climate change’ now refers to the changes in temperature that have occurred over the past 100 years. The climate will continue to change because of the gases we have emitted in the past. What we need to do now is reduce CO2 emissions and live more sustainable lives with the goal of lessening the effects.

*(source: Defra (opens in a new window)

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