What can we do about climate change?

The blanket of gases that keep our planet warm is getting thicker. This is because when we burn fossil fuels and cut down trees we add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere that trap the sun’s heat. More heat means more unpredictable weather and other big changes for life on Earth.

Climate change cannot be written off as just another day of weird weather, it is the most serious threat facing peopleand the environment on which we all depend. Global warming, rising sea levels, widespread flooding, droughts and the spread of tropical diseases are already having a devastating impact. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to suffer from the effects of climate change.

Rich countries, like the UK and other G8 nations, are responsible for the majority of CO emissions released over the past 200 years, so they must take a lead in cutting emissions.

Climate change respects no boundaries: sea level rise threatens coastal cities and changes in weather patterns will affect farming and natural habitats. Already 4 million homes ar e at risk fr om flooding in England and Wales. For people, who can’t get or afford insur ance, or have nowhere else to go climate change is a disaster.

There are two ways society can get a grip on CO emissions. The best approach is to make a steady, achievable cut every year. The alternative is to wait until we have no choice but to do something, and then make drastic cuts – which may turn out to be too little, too late. It’s like choosing a gentle path down the cliff or going over the void.

If rich countries like the UK start to use carbon budgets, and make other changes such as improved energy efficiency, it will send a strong signal that we are serious about climate change and determined to work together with the rest of the world to find solutions.

Our research shows that the Government needs to reduce the UK’s emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by around 3 per cent a year. Signing up to the Kyoto Protocol role in producing much of the CO2 in the atmosphere. Over the next few years, some countries will need to reduce their emissions, while some poorer countries may need to increase

If domestic fuel prices rise, Government needs to prevent this hurting the poorest and most vulnerable people. With the right investment we could get more than half our energy from clean, renewable sources by 2050. Making these changes will bring new jobs too. The key to solving climate change will be policies that respect the natural world’s limits and are fair.

For a clean, green future people’s electricity and heat need to come from renewable sources and their homes need to be more energy efficient. People will need to travel more by better public transport, and when they use their car it will be more fuel efficient – and powered by more renewable fuels. We need to be making a start now. Here’s how:

For the 60,000 residents of Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, energy efficiency is becoming second nature. To generate power there are 130 wind turbines, hotels use solar panels and the library uses pumps to extract heat

Renewable energy has a long tradition in the UK – from wood burners to water mills. You may already have made your home more energy efficient (with double glazing, insulation and energy efficient goods), but you could go a step further and turn your home into a mini power station – exporting excess energy back to the grid – by installing a micro-CHP (combined heat and power) unit.

Renewable energy is not just about wind turbines. Using a mix of energy efficiency; on- and off-shore turbines; tidal farms (eg, to harness the power of the sea from tidal currents, wave power or tidal lagoons); growing crops on set-aside land for biomass fuels; or sequestration – a process which enables carbon to be locked underground (hence it’s other name carbon capture and storage (CCS)) we do not need to rely on fossil fuels or nuclear power.

Since 1998 Dyfi Valley, in Wales has used a combination of hydro, wind, solar thermal, solar electric, wood heat and ground source pump to create 100 per cent renewable electricity supply for the area’s 12,500 people. While the new National Botanical Garden of Wales, in Llanarthne, uses biomass to heat the greenhouse.

Government needs to support inventive low carbon solutions such as renewable heat and transport fuels – and not go down the nuclear route. We will work with regional and local groups to promote renewable energy and energy demand reduction to help meet these challenging targets. We want public subsidy of fossil fuels to be phased out. Fair tax for aviation and better transport choices

The aviation industry should cover the real cost of the damage they cause to the environment by paying fair taxes. Expanding airports will mean a greater contribution to climate change. We also want to see high quality, sustainable transport choices that works for people, communities and the environment