Global climate change is the single biggest environmental threat facing the planet.

There is much that can be done to stop catastrophic climate change but decisive action is needed from governments and industry now.

Climate change or global warming is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide (C0₂) and other polluting gases in our atmosphere.

Climate change will affect everyone on earth. The effects predicted by climate change scientists include:

• sea level rises, which will drown many coastal cities and small islands
• more extreme weather events like floods, droughts and hurricanes
• changes in rainfall patterns, altering the timing of seasons

Tackling climate change will take all parts of society, all across the globe.

The Big Ask!

The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's campaign for legislation on Climate Change is an amazing success.

The UK, for the first time anywhere in the world, is introducing a long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change. The Climate Change Bill was introduced in Parliament on 14 November 2007 and completed its passage through the House of Lords on 31 March 2008. It has now moved to the House of Commons for consideration. The aim is to receive Royal Assent by autumn 2008.

The Climate Change Bill has now successfully passed through the Committee Stage, during which we yet again made sure our voice was heard.

As you all know the Bill as it stands has two big gaps:

• It only has a 60 per cent target for emissions reduction for 2050 - we want an 80 per cent target
• And it excludes international aviation and shipping emissions.

The next stage is when the Bill comes before the House of Commons for the final vote by all MPs - the Report Stage - which will be in October or November. We hope the Government will propose its own changes to the Bill for that vote. If not, plenty of MPs are ready to table amendments asking for the 80 per cent emissions reduction target, and that emissions from international aviation and shipping be included.