What is Climate Change?

Climate change, as it is being used today, means the rapid growth of temperatures across the World. There are many causes for the atmosphere to be heating up. Over millions of years global temperatures have continually risen and fallen in cycles.

Climate change, or Global Warming as it is also called, happens when concentrations of certain gases build up in the atmosphere. Gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Methane are known as Greenhouse Gases because they act just like the glass in a greenhouse. They allow the Sun's heat to arrive at the Earth's surface but don't allow it to escape again. As these gases build up this effect becomes stronger than the Earth's ability to cope and the atmosphere heats up.

So why can't the Earth cope?

Usually the atmosphere is in balance and this effect takes thousands of years to make a difference to average temperatures. The atmosphere when the dinosaurs ruled the earth was very different to what we are used to. CO₂ the most abundant Greenhouse Gas was present in the air at even higher concentrations than it is now. Back then we weren't around to breath the air. If we had been we would have found it very hot and a lot less easy to breath.

Over millions of years the Earth has buried vegetation under millions of tonnes of rock storing it as coal, oil or gas. These fossil fuels are now being burnt in our cars, power stations and factories. The CO₂ is being released back into the atmosphere at a rate greater than that at which it can be reabsorbed. The result is increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Human activity has  made the problem even worse by reducing the amount of tree cover on the planet and by the increased use of natural resources. Trees absorb CO₂ as they grow. Indiscriminate logging and burning of forests for agriculture has led to the release of this CO₂ back into the atmosphere.

Woodlands and farm land are being cleared for housing or other developments. While these are worth more than natural products like woodfuel this will continue. A strong market for woodland produce will encourage owners to keep their land and achieve environmental aims.

So what?

The Earth, of course, has been around longer than any of the life currently on the planet. It will continue no matter what happens with global warming. The problem is that life as we know it needs the environment that it has evolved with. Human, animal and plant life all need the resources they are used to. When Climate Change effects the weather and the seasons change there are many negative consequences.

Scientists have measured the increased concentrations of CO₂ in the air, by comparing it to bubbles trapped in polar ice for thousands of years. In spite of some well known sceptics (sorry Terry Wogan and George Bush) all leading scientists now agree that we are facing the greatest threat to our way of life in history. Around the world we are already seeing the consequences of melting icecaps, increased incidence of drought and severe storms.

Coastal areas and some low lying islands, even whole countries like the Maldives in the Indian Ocean are in danger of catastrophic flooding. Areas of Africa and even Southern Europe will become permanent deserts unable to support crops. Populations of millions of people will be forced into migration in search of water and food.

Then we're done for, right?

Wrong! If we all work together to reduce our energy use, use resources more efficiently (including how we travel), and buy more local food (not wrapped in plastic) we can make a difference.

By following simple principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle we can slow down the effects of Climate Change in our lifetimes and reverse it in the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren.

Treenergy, and the other methods of producing renewable energy, can play its part. But, no matter how much effort we make to produce energy in a responsible manner it will be wasted if society does not make the other necessary changes in the way we live, work and play.

Treenergy Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 5927847.VAT Registration Number: 891 5769 69 

Registered Office: 10 Chapel Close, Wyesham, MONMOUTH, Monmouthshire, NP25 3NN