Climate change myth buster

Over the 4.5-billion-year history of planet earth, it is true to say that the climate has changed a lot, including periods with higher and lower greenhouse gas concentrations than the present. However, the current climate changes we are seeing cannot be explained by natural warming and cooling cycles, which typically play out over hundreds of thousands of years. Further, human civilization as we know it now has never previously operated in a world with the current greenhouse gas concentrations.  

The rate of change in our present climate is occurring over significantly shorter time periods, triggered by the rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial revolution. So, when we talk about climate change today, what we really mean is man-made climate change. Global temperatures are now at their highest since recording these statistics began and will continue to rise, leading to an increasingly destabilized climate system, rising sea levels, and higher incidences of extreme weather events.

While this statement may be true, it is misleading. There are very few scientific issues where the views are 100% unanimous as differing opinions and motives will shape individual perspectives. Regarding human-induced climate change, more than 99% of scientific literature agrees that humans are causing current global warming. Such has been the impact of humans on the earth’s climate and ecosystems, some have suggested a new geological epoch has now been entered termed the ‘Anthropocene’.

While the very worst effects of climate change will be felt into the future, what we do today will fundamentally shape what that future looks like. Leaving it for others to worry about is not an excuse and time is running out to keep warming below 1.5C and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Indeed, we are already seeing the impacts of climate change around the world. Increasingly severe flooding, droughts, wildfires, and storms causing serious harm to humans and nature alike, the prevalence of these events and their presence in our media will continue to grow unless we act now.  

Water vapour is a greenhouse gas and can typically be found in greater concentrations than carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. However, whereas increases in carbon dioxide are driving climate change, climate change is driving increased water vapour. The relationship between climate change and these gases fundamentally differs.

Any changes in water vapour levels in the atmosphere tend to be short-lived as water condenses and falls as rain. By comparison, carbon dioxide accumulates over time and is presently being emitted at a much faster rate than it can be removed, increasing its atmospheric concentration.

There are many countries globally with greater per person and total emissions that the UK. But that is not a reason for inaction or passing responsibility. Climate change is a global challenge that will impact everyone, and every nation has some role and responsibility to play. Pointing fingers at others will only waste time and effort that could be used to enact policies and drive global changes.

Even though UK per capita emissions have been dropping since the 1970’s, it is important we recognise the historical role the UK has played in industrialisation and our contribution to global emissions over time. This has enabled the UK to achieve a standard of living and level of development than many other countries are still striving for. Another consideration is that greenhouse gas emissions reporting is based on production, rather than consumption. Some very high emitting countries act at the world’s centres for material production, but these are then used elsewhere. We can all make a difference by consuming more sustainably.

We must remember that climate change is a humanitarian issue. Although the emissions leading to climate change are disproportionately caused by higher income nations and individuals, the impacts of climate change will be disproportionately felt by poorer nations and groups within nations unable to act or adapt. Simply put, those least responsible for climate change will be most impacted by it.

Climate change is the biggest environmental threat facing humanity today. But it is not too late to act, even if we are running out of time. Indeed, this may be the most critical time in history to ensure that we do act, given how grave the consequences of doing nothing will be. We can stay within 1.5C warming but a lot more action is needed at all levels to make this happen.

As a Council, we have taken, and will continue to take further, actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. And individually, we can all make greener daily decisions that will have positive effects for the planet. Check out our ‘What can I do’ section for a huge range of ways you can live more sustainably and act on climate change.