The subject of climate change attracts huge media interest. The following information provides residents with details on what climate change actually is and how it may affect us.
Details
What is climate change?
It is easy to get confused about the difference between the terms climate change, the greenhouse effect and global warming; are they the same thing and what do they mean?
The greenhouse effect is the process by which the atmosphere traps the sun’s energy. This is caused when greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are present at higher than normal levels. These gases act in the same way as the glass on a greenhouse; the sunlight gets in but the heat cannot escape - the effect of this is global warming which results in the overall temperature of the oceans and atmosphere increasing.
The greenhouse effect leads to climate change. However, not all the world will be affected in the same way. For example, summer temperatures may get warmer in some areas but winter temperatures in some areas may be cooler. Some areas may become drier while some may experience greater flooding.
What will happen?
For the UK and Bromley, climate change could mean:
- Warmer temperatures: leading to more frequent heat waves, and causing heath problems due to smog, pollen and heat exhaustion
- Wetter winters: leading to increased risk of localised flooding
- Drier summers: leading to drought and water restrictions
- Extreme weather: increased incidence of extreme weather like flash flooding, high winds, heat waves and cold snaps
- Rising sea-levels: coastal areas and estuaries could be more prone to flooding. Residents working in Central London or the Thames Estuary may be affected if the sea levels rise.
Taking action against climate change
The main greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). The main source of carbon dioxide is from burning of fossils fuels such as coal, gas and oil.
Unfortunately society is reliant on fossil fuels for many things. These include electricity and domestic heating; fuel for our cars and manufacturing the clothes we wear and the food we eat. These processes result in increased carbon dioxide emissions which cause climate change. Even the waste we create produces greenhouse gases when it is buried or burnt.
Almost every activity can have an impact. However, there are lots of things we can all do to help tackle climate change. These actions may individually be small but together can be very significant, what you do can make a real difference.
Information on what you can do to help is available here.
Contacts
Green Team
Telephone: 020 8313 4989
Fax: 020 8461 7925
e-mail: green.team@bromley.gov.uk
Address:
Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH