Climate Change is the greatest challenge facing our generation.

Climate change will affect everyone on Earth. Extreme weather, which is expected to be more frequent, can have catastrophic outcomes. e.g. European heatwave July 2003, floods etc..

Limiting global temperature to a rise 2^oC above pre-industrial levels is thought to prevent dangerous climate change.

It is imperative that we reduce greenhouse gas emissions of 80-90% by 2050 according to recent research with a 70% cut by 2030.

UK reductions required

At the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee in May 2007 evidence was presented by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research showing that when aviation and shipping are taken into account there is a 92-100% chance of global temperatures exceeding 2^oC and a 50% chance of global temperatures exceeding 4^oC.

Unprecedented emissions reductions of 9%p.a. will be required between 2014 and 2030 to achieve Government Targets on a 2^oC global temperature rise above pre-industrial levels.

This is a graph showing the forecast carbon emissions reduction required:

NB. the area under the curve denotes cumulative emissions (i.e. what really matters).

The clock is ticking. It is time to get serious about reducing our carbon emissions.

Have a target of 2 degrees and plan for 4 (pdf)
(Latest research from the Tyndall Centre, September 2008)