What is climate change?

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world.

'Climate change' refers to changes in the earth's climate that are caused by increasing levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases cause the earth to heat up. This affects global weather patterns, the frequency of extreme weather events and the melting of polar and glacial ice, which contributes to rising sea levels.

Healthy ecosystems and rich biodiversity are fundamental to life on our planet. Even small changes in average temperatures can have a significant effect upon ecosystems.

Human activities contribute to increasing levels of greenhouse gases. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas releases CO2 into the atmosphere.

There is almost 40% more CO2 in the atmosphere now than there was before the industrial revolution. This is the highest level reached in the last 800,000 years.

The United Nations 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that the current global target of an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050 is not enough to avert catastrophic temperature change.

More information and facts on climate change can be found on the websites GOV.UK - Climate change explained and Met Office - What is climate change?