Climate Change

'Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. The first step towards tackling the problem is to make sure everyone understands exactly what the challenge is and the difference they could make'. (DirectGov Climate Change)

Our earth retains its temperature thanks to a layer of "greenhouse" gases in the atmosphere, which trap energy from the sun. Without this greenhouse effect, the average global temperature would be more than 30°C colder than it is now.
As human activities involving the burning of fossil fuels increases, the concentrations of the greenhouse gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide (CO2), build up in the atmosphere. This causes the world to heat up unnaturally, the weather to become more unpredictable and increases the likelihood of more extreme weather events. This heating process is often referred to as global warming and the overall effect is known as climate change.
We all contribute in some way towards increasing the layer of gases. We do this by using these emissions through the energy we use directly:

• to transport ourselves
• to heat or cool our homes and workplaces
• to cook food
• for any other use, such as lighting, running appliances and entertainment

and indirectly through the energy that goes into producing all the things we purchase - and the things we throw away:

• basics such as food, water, housing, clothing and healthcare
• items like DVD's, electrical appliances, cosmetics and holidays
• gases from what we throw away - such as rotting food

In Herefordshire and the United Kingdom, climate change is likely to mean:

• hotter temperatures,
• warmer, wetter winters,
• hotter, drier summers,
• increased summer time thunder storms and intense rainfall
• less snow,
• the loss of some animal and plant species,
• more severe flooding of coastal and river areas and also flash flooding.

This is likely to bring irreversible changes to our wildlife, environment, and could have a devastating effect on agriculture, business, our way of life and thus on the local economy - unless we act together now.