Climate change

Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) trap heat in the atmosphere which would otherwise escape into space.  As more heat gets trapped, the earth below heats up too.

Computer modelling suggests that human activities have caused at least half of the increase in global temperatures since 1900 and most of the warming over the past 50 years by increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Over the last century, average global temperatures have risen by 0.74°C.  Further rises of between 1.1 and 6.4°C are predicted over the next century.  The ten warmest years on record have all been since 1990 and the last six years have been the warmest years since records began. Climate change means we can expect to see more violent and changeable weather patterns, such as flooding, strong winds and hot dry summers.

The world has now realised that climate change poses a real threat to the way we live our lives both now and in the future. It is important that Warrington responds both as a council and as a community to this threat by reducing our emissions and by preparing for the changes in our environment. We can only make a real difference by working with others, by learning from them and by setting an example. Even if you don’t believe in climate change it makes good sense to reduce your energy consumption, it will save you money and in improve the health of our environment. The 'shrink your carbon footprint' guide will give you some quick tips on how to start. 

To find out more about climate change you can view our climate change strategy.

To find out what the UK government are doing towards it visit the Defra climate change website.

In Decmeber 2009 the worlds governments will be meeting in Copenhagen to come up with a climate change policy to replace the Kyoto agreement. To find out more visit the Governments Copenhagen website.

Look at what we are doing, business, community and schools pages to see what is happening in each of these areas.

Last updated 08/01/2010 11:37:26

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