Questions

The problem of global warming created by the burning of fossil fuels is now commonly known. The earths climate has been relatively stable for the past 10,000 years. However, recently the climate has recently warmed considerably. The 20th century was the warmest in the past 1000 years, the 1990’s the warmest decade on record and 1998 the warmest year ever.

Global temperature rose 0.6 C in the last 100 years. Temperature is expected to rise by between 1.4 –5.8 C this century, depending on the actions taken to tackle the problem. The global climate is complex and the consequences of global warming in climate change are difficult to predict. Several models have been developed and studies are being made of current observed changes in climate.

Many organisations believe that recent changes in climate globally and in the UK are a result of climate change. More extreme weather, sea level rises, migration of species, loss of habitats, threats to agriculture, water shortages, are just some of the many issues being addressed in this wide subject. The Department of the Environment web site provides a good introduction to the issues and measures being taken.