Global Warming - What Can We Do

By the summer of 2050 temperatures will have risen by around 2 degrees or more in England and Wales, 1 to 2 degrees for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Just a small rise in temperature will result in more hot days in cities (temperatures over 30C).

Drier conditions are also expected, especially in the Southeast. However heavy rainfall events are likely to be more frequent. Winters are expected to be milder, so there will be a reduction in the number of frosty nights.

It's difficult to ascertain whether the world weather is becoming or will become more extreme. The scenario of more storms, hurricanes, tornadoes etc is far from proven, although indications from the Hadley Center are for a greater frequency of deep Atlantic depressions.

The consequences of these changes are far reaching. Consider for example that floods and droughts are likely to increase in number and severity. Diseases, such as malaria, spread by mosquitoes depend on local climate, especially temperature.

Different flora and fauna flourish under various climate regimes, but cannot respond quickly to change. Nature reserves, often established to protect particular species may no longer be located within a climate hospitable to that species, making them prone to disease and pests.
Humans are more adaptable to different climates, but heat and water stress are likely to become more of a problem.

Uncertainties in future predictions arise due to imperfect estimates of future emissions of greenhouse gases and sulfur, which in turn depend on population growth, energy demand, economic factors.

What can we do to slow down this warming?

By sharing technologies, experience and resources we can hopefully lower the greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global climate change. Choose clean energy options where available, such as wind, solar and wave power, these do not emit greenhouse gases and are renewable. Individually, we can recycle material, insulate our homes, take public transport and think about energy efficiency in the home.

The effects of global warming and a changing climate will not be felt equally across our planet. Poorer nations are generally more vulnerable to the consequences.

We are confident that putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere will lead to a continued warming of the earth's surface. However there will be consequential changes in the climate system which will either magnify or reduce the rate of warming. Our incomplete understanding of this feedback leads to substantial uncertainty in the predictions.

So what has been written here is more an indication of what change can be expected as opposed to a firm forecast. A balance is needed between the needs of the living and our obligations to future generations.