WHAT IS THE FUTURE?

Although it is difficult to obtain accurate predictions on the impacts of climate change, climate models foresee a global temperature rise in the range of 1.4 - 5.8o C by 2100 if current greenhouse gas emission trends remain unchecked.

Even if some measures are taken, the effect will continue accumulating for centuries.
The impacts of even a small increase in temperature are expected to be significant, particularly in certain regions. Effects are expected to include:

• Flooding in low-lying coastal areas
• Wetter, warmer winters and dryer, hotter summers in the Northern Hemisphere
• More extreme weather conditions worldwide (storms, drought, heavy rainfall)

The impact will be far-reaching and will affect not only the humans but also the wildlife and their ecosystems on the planet; those that are able to adapt will survive, those that cannot won't.

To stabilise the atmosphere, deep reductions are required; the UK and other EU countries are committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.
For scientific evidence and implications of climate change view our publication - The Climate Change Challenge.
Specific projections for both the UK and globally can be found through the Met Office's Hadley Centre.
For further information on expected climate change impacts in the UK, see the UK Climate Impacts Programme website.