BEACONS, registered charity number , is one of a network of development education centres (DECs) covering the whole country. DECs are government authorised but receive no direct government funding. Run entirely by volunteers, BEACONS is the DEC for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Our aim is to promote knowledge and understanding about the wider world in the two counties and beyond. We do this in a variety of ways, including providing learning resources, staff professional development, speakers, public lectures and by running conferences. Our website contains more information about our activities and plans and is a valuable free source of information for teachers, students and the public generally, including our three continuously updated and free Guides to Climate Change. Working to promote awareness and understanding of issues and developments in the wider world

Climate Change: What should be done? By David Terry, author, the BEACONS on-line Guides to Climate Change. Free at

Three Books – Only one you have to buy! You can buy this one......You CANNOT buy the BEACONS Guides to Climate Change The free three guides on Climate Change are entitled: Guide 1 – Climate Change: the Facts (Revised and updated, June 2015) Guide 1 – Climate Change: the Facts (Revised and updated, June 2015) Guide 2 – Politics, Science and the Future of Humanity (Revised and updated, October 2015) Guide 2 – Politics, Science and the Future of Humanity (Revised and updated, October 2015) Guide 3 – UK Energy and Climate Change Policy (Revised and updated, November 2015) Guide 3 – UK Energy and Climate Change Policy (Revised and updated, November 2015) They are FREE at: But it is FREE at: /download.html /download.html

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Climate Change What do we know?

The Man who started it!

James Watt The man who started it! 1769

The Early Days An increased demand for Energy and a rapid rise in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

1824 Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier 1889 Svante Arrhenius Arrhenius' Greenhouse Law is still used today

Atmospheric CO 2 concentration from 650,000 years ago to near present, using ice-core proxy data and direct measurements. Earth Science Communications Team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (data from NOAA) - Levels of Atmospheric CO 2

(CDIAC – Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre)

Global Change Rise in Emissions of Greenhouse Gases Rise in levels of CO 2 in the atmosphere Rise in Global Surface Temperature Source: Global Carbon Budget

Global Temperature Anomalies Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Effects of Climate Change Good or Bad? Harmful (for all)? More Extreme Weather – More Frequently Rising sea levels Ocean Acidification Desertification Beneficial (for some)? CO 2 promotes plant growth Farming possible in areas previously too cold, e.g. Greenland, Siberia Reduction in Arctic summer sea ice allows shipping to use the NE and NW passages, and allows extraction of oil and other minerals

What do we know – How certain are we of each of the following? 1.CO 2 is a greenhouse gas. The amount in the atmosphere has increased steadily from about 280ppm in pre-industrial times to about 400ppm today 2.CO 2 emitted by burning fossil fuels remains in the atmosphere for at least 100 years 3.Other GHGs, notably water vapour and methane, have a stronger effects but remain for much shorter periods 4.Global temperatures have risen by about C in the last 100 years but since 1998 have risen only slightly 5.Sea levels have been rising for at least the last 150 years at a fairly steady 3.2 mm a year 6.The rise in temperatures and sea levels is largely a result of burning fossil fuels 7.If atmospheric CO 2 reaches 450ppm global temperatures are likely to exceed 2 0 C above those of 1900, and this will probably cause catastrophic climate change 8.The amount of CO 2 emitted by each country

Climate Change What should we do?

A Global Problem AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY TO REDUCE CO 2 EMISSIONS: WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Global Action The Paris Aims: Reduce CO 2 emissions so as to keep Global temperature increase below the 2°C limit from Pre- Industrial times. Keep Carbon levels in the atmosphere below 450ppm Avoid the worst of Climate Change Brief History of Key UNFCCC Annual COPS: Rio Earth Summit, 1992 COPS COP3 Kyoto, 1997 COP15 Copenhagen, 2009 COP21 Paris, 2015 (30 th Nov-12 th Dec) The United Nations and Climate Change

Possible Measures Energy Efficiencies Use energy / resources more efficiently Rethink Personal Lifestyles Sustainable Transport Industrial Processes Agriculture Design of Things Consumption Houses – heating and cooling Low Carbon Technologies Renewables / Carbon-free energy: Wind, Wave, Tidal, Solar, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Nuclear Fission Other Available Options? Natural Gas – Fracking Biomass Fuels Nuclear Fusion Carbon Capture and Storage Increase Natural CO 2 Absorption Geo-engineering Prepare for a Hotter Planet Do Nothing – Wait and See Mitigation and Adaptation

What should we do? 1.Mitigate – Actions to prevent worsening of Climate Change 2.Adapt – Actions for living with Climate Change Impacts 3.Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions 4.More Efficient use of Energy and Resources, with Less Waste 5.Prepare for a Hotter Planet 6.Geo-Engineering Techniques 7.Nothing – Wait and See 8.Think Global – Act Local

If all else fails, what future for humanity?

Move to another planet…?