WHY SHOULD YOU BE INVOLVED?

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What is climate change and why does it matter?

Climate change is the biggest threat to nature and humanity in the 21st century. The Earth’s average temperature in the last 100 years has risen leading rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather. Unless we act quickly to meet this challenge the situation will only get worse. Climate care is now a mainstream business issue. We are becoming more aware that we need to align economic growth with conservation in order to serve the interests of business, society and the planet.

What causes climate change?

Climate change is caused by the unlimited burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas - to satisfy our hunger for energy. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2. As we release an increasing amount of CO2 the layer of greenhouse gas gets thicker. This in turn makes the Earth warmer and threatens the conditions under which humanity has thrived.

What impact is it having?

Minor changes in the climate have impacts that are large and complex. Climate change is most visible in the Polar regions. In just 30 years, sea ice in the Arctic has declined by a staggering 40 per cent. At both poles massive ice shelves are disintegrating and breaking away. We’re also seeing increasingly unpredictable and chaotic weather around the world, from heatwaves and droughts to floods and hurricanes. These erratic conditions will only escalate if we don’t change our behaviour.

What will happen in the future?

If current trends continue, we’ll need to find a second planet by the mid 2030s². That’s down to humanity’s growing demand for energy and resources as well as the waste and carbon emissions we produce. Within our own lifetimes we will see the startling impact of our carbon emissions on the animal kingdom. By 2050, climate change could drive one million of the world’s species to extinction. We’ll witness more extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels will threaten entire nations on low lying land in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

What difference can I make?

Ultimately, it is individual actions that will drive carbon savings. Making smarter business decisions is everyone’s responsibility. And through actions such as reducing business travel, we are able to make a difference. Globally, aviation accounts for approximately four to nine per cent of the climate change impact of human activity. Click on to learn how you can support the environment. Act Now! sign up to Climate Care Day.