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Climate change
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<p> </p><p><strong><em>Climate Change </em></strong>refers to the changes in the world's temperature that have taken place over the last one hundred years. Since 1900 the average temperature on the planet has increased by 0.74 degrees centigrade and sea levels have risen by an average of ten centimetres. Climate change can occur naturally, for example as a result of volcanic eruptions which heat up the planet temporarily, but recent studies conducted on climate change have proven that human beings are primarily responsible for the dramatic rise in temperature that has occurred since the 1970s.</p><p>The main human influence on climate change is our emission of greenhouse gases - in particular carbon dioxide. Every time we turn on our car ignition, crank up the heating, or hop aboard a plane for that weekend away, carbon dioxide is pumped into the atmosphere as a result of the energy being created. There are fears that global temperatures could rise by 4 degrees over the next half century.</p><p>The results of climate change are potentially devastating - the Maldives are likely to be under water as a result of higher sea levels, as well as parts of the south of England. Temperature rises in parts of Africa could lead to the failure of harvests and widespread poverty. Polar bears may become extinct by 2050 because they will be unable to cross the ice to reach their food. We have already witnessed the devastating consequences of flooding in Bangladesh.</p><p>Nevertheless, climate change also offers the world the prime opportunity to reform its energy consuming habits and learn to survive off alternative forms of energy. Scientists are working on new technology all the time that could combat climate change and hopefully prevent the type of temperature rises mentioned above. The government has recently passed a Climate Change Bill which sets out to reduce national emissions by 26% by 2020. We as individuals can also play a role, by taking steps to reduce the amount of energy we use in our everyday lives - simply by lowering our heating or using a bicycle instead of taking the car, we can help to reduce emissions.</p><p><strong><em>Useful Websites</em></strong></p><p><a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation">www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/uk/legislation</a></p><p>This government department website offers information and details on the UK government's Climate Change Bill</p><p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate">www.bbc.co.uk/climate</a></p><p>Watch the progress of climate change as it happens</p><p><a href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/environmentandgreenerliving/thewiderenvironment/climatechange/index.htm">www.direct.gov.uk/en/environmentandgreenerliving/thewiderenvironment/climatechange/index.htm</a></p><p>Find out how you can make a difference</p>
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