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Climate change
EUROPEAN COMMISSION FEBRUARY 2009
The scientific evidence is
conclusive
• ‘Climate’ is the long-term atmospheric conditions,
‘weather’ varies constantly
• Changes in climate are natural: e.g. after the last
ice age (11,500 years ago) global temperatures
were 5°C lower than now
• BUT we are now experiencing temperature rises
at unprecedented speed
• Scientists believe that human activities are
responsible
Climate change facts
•
Europe’s temperatures have risen by 1°C since
1850
•
Another 1.2°C could mean irreversible, largescale and potentially catastrophic environmental
change
Climate change facts
• Extreme weather events – storms, floods,
droughts and heat waves – becoming more
frequent and more severe
• 90% of natural disasters in Europe since 1980
caused by weather and climate
Climate change facts
• Europe’s glaciers have lost two-thirds of their
mass since 1850 – and the trend is accelerating
• Polar ice is melting and sea levels are rising at
double the rate of 50 years ago
• Millions of people around the globe threatened
with water shortages, hunger and poverty
Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal
Source: http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/satellite-observations-in-arctic-sea-ice-1979-and-2003
What’s the cause?
• Humans are pumping more ‘greenhouse gases’
into the atmosphere
• The atmosphere acts like the glass walls of a
greenhouse
• Natural greenhouse gases help retain heat –
without them, temperatures would be 30°C lower
• But man-made greenhouse gases emissions up
70% since 1970, meaning more heat trapped
Greenhouse gases
carbon dioxide (CO2)
nitrous oxide (N2O)
– burning coal, oil and gas for
energy, transport and heat
– waste disposal sites,
agriculture and cattle
methane (CH4)
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
– used in fridges, airconditioning and even shoes
Where’s the evidence?
The leading scientific authority on climate change is
the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC).
•Coordinates findings of 2,500 experts all round the
globe
•4th Assessment Report (AR4) published November
2007
•AR4 represents 6 years of research and analysis
•Cautious and rigorous scientific approach to its
conclusions
•Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2007
Findings of 4th Assessment Report
• Conclusive evidence that global warming is due to
human activity
• If temperatures rise by more than 2°C, the effects
could be sudden and irreversible
• We still have time to slow down or adapt to climate
change
• Many useful technologies already exist, and make
good economic sense
• … but urgent action is needed now!
What are governments doing?
• Governments work together under the UN
framework convention on climate change
• The current agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, sets
binding emissions targets for developed countries
• Negotiations are under way for a follow-up – to be
agreed in December 2009 in Copenhagen
The European Union is a pioneer in
the battle against climate change
EU countries have set targets for 2020 to:
– Cut emissions by 20% (or 30% if agreed globally)
– Increase energy efficiency by 20%
– Generate 20% of energy from renewable sources
The EU is pushing for an ambitious new global pact
to reduce emissions
What can you do?
Simple everyday actions play a major role in the fight
against climate change
So…
– Recycle
– Save hot water by taking a shower instead of a bath
(four times less energy)
– Plant a tree, at school, in your garden or neighbourhood
What can you do?
• Use public transport, cycle, walk
• Don’t leave appliances on stand-by – use the
on/off function of the machine
• Don’t leave you mobile charger plugged in when
you are not charging your phone
www.climatechange.eu.com