What´s happening to the climate?

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What’s

happening to

the climate?

– Ten questions and answers

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Mankind generates large amounts

of greenhouse gases.

When the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases, more heat is trapped at the Earth’s surface. This reinforces the Earth’s natural greenhouse effect, temperatures rise and the climate changes, with potentially serious effects around the world.

The main reason for the increase in the greenhouse effect is the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the warmer the climate becomes. Carbon dioxide is released when we use fossil fuels like natural gas, coal, oil, diesel and petrol. Even the felling of trees has an effect on the atmosphere’s level of carbon dioxide since trees normally absorb carbon dioxide as they grow.

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1. Does mankind really have an effect

on the climate?

The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by over 35 per cent since the middle of the 19th

century. Since the beginning of the 20th_{century the Earth’s}

average temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees. These trends have coincided with a steady increase in our use of coal, oil, natural gas, diesel and petrol.

In the mid 19th_{century we started burning coal on a large}

scale to heat our homes and supply industry with energy. Next came cars powered by petrol and oil-fired boilers to heat our homes, workplaces and public buildings. Since then, ever increasing numbers of us have used more cars, heating and products manufactured using fossil fuels.

Although the climate has always alternated naturally between warm and cold periods, current warming is largely due to human activity. Our emissions are contributing to the climate becoming warmer.

Humans have the greatest impact!

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For short errands, use your bicycle or walk. It is cheaper, enviromental-friendly and it also benefits your health.

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2. How much will emissions need to decrease?

To prevent serious consequences, the world’s nations need to start reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as soon as possible. If we are to meet the EU’s climate target of a maximum rise in temperature of two degrees, present-day emissions will have to decrease by at least 60 percent between now and 2050.

Emissions will have to start to decrease within the next few years. This represents a great challenge for the global community. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that global emissions of carbon dioxide today, rather than decreasing, are in fact continuing to increase. Carbon dioxide emissions have risen by 80 per cent since 1970. And no reversal of the trend is yet in sight.

The situation is serious, but scientists also point out that there are ways in which emissions can be sufficiently reduced with the help of present-day technology and renewable fuels. But if this is to happen, individuals, businesses and decision-makers will need to show both the willingness and the ability to take action.

Emissions need to decrease sharply!

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Photography: Janis Christie/Matton

Avoid using drying cupboards and tumble dryers. Clothes can be hung up to dry in the laundry, using air dehumidifiers if necessary, or if you have a suitable space you can dry your washing outdoors.

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3. But does it really matter if it becomes

a few degrees warmer?

If the average temperature of the Earth rises by 2-4 degrees by the end of this century, which the UN’s IPCC considers likely, sea levels may rise by half a metre. If global warming leads to large areas of land ice in Greenland and Antarctica starting to melt, sea levels may rise much further still.

Millions of people are at risk from poorer health as insects and diseases spread. Access to drinking water may become more difficult, and many plants and animals will be threate-ned with extinction as their habitats change so rapidly that they do not have time to adapt.

It is also feared that a warmer climate may lead to more extreme weather events such as long periods of drought and heavy rainfall. The effects are expected to be particularly serious in parts of the world that are already at risk. Further drought in areas already short of water may, for example, force millions of people to flee from water shortages and famine.

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4. How will we be affected here in Sweden?

It is estimated that mean temperatures in Sweden will rise more than the global average. This will mean milder winters and more frequent, heavier rainstorms. A warmer climate may also have some positive effects. Conditions for crop cultivation may improve, which is good for agriculture and forestry. Milder winters may, however, spread harmful insects and diseases that pose a threat both to crop yields and to the forests.

Increased precipitation and more intensive downpours will increase the risk of flooding along rivers, streams and lakes. Higher sea levels will contribute to increased coastal erosion in Skåne and, combined with storms, may increase the risk of flooding in coastal towns.

Plants and animals will be affected. The flora and fauna of the Swedish mountains and the Baltic Sea are regarded as particularly vulnerable. A generally wetter and milder climate will also favour ticks, which spread certain diseases. Warming may also adversely affect the availability and quality of drinking water.

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5. Can we put a stop to climate change?

Yes we can, if we radically reduce our use of coal, oil, natural gas, petrol and diesel. But we have to anticipate certain effects. The climate will react to our emissions for a long time to come, even if global emissions decrease immediately.

To stop climate change, measures are required in many areas. Like other countries, Sweden will have to make a greater commitment to investing in new, energy-efficient technology and renewable energy.

We will also have to become more economical in our use of energy. This is true for buildings, transport and industry. Green cars, energy-saving houses and energy-efficient businesses are the way forward. Every country, every sector of society, every business and every member of society will therefore have to contribute to reducing emissions.

We all need to reduce our emissions!

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Buy food that’s in season and, if possible, produced locally.

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6. How can we adapt?

The effects of climate change will differ from region to region and country to country. Although the effects are yet to be fully felt, adaptation to a warmer climate needs to start now.

In Sweden we need to seriously consider the risk of flooding and higher sea levels when we build new homes and infrastructure. More cooling systems and ventilation in buildings will be needed so that the elderly and children are

not affected by prolonged heat waves, for example. In agriculture and forestry, crops appropriate to the new weather conditions will have to be chosen.

A warmer climate may also necessitate costly invest-ments. In Southern Sweden there is some discussion

as to how, in the future, increasing quantities of water in Lake Vänern will be able to reach the sea. Perhaps a new canal or tunnel to the coast needs to be constructed?

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7. Whose job is it?

Political decisions at all levels, locally, nationally and inter-nationally, are important in reducing emissions. Internatio-nal cooperation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is particularly significant.

Trading in emission allowances is one way in which the EU countries are trying to reduce emissions from industry and energy companies. The Swedish Parliament has decided on a number of measures, such as energy taxes, lower tax on renewable fuels, fuel-efficient cars

and other types of subsidies for energy efficiency improvements. Decisions that affect emissions and consequently the climate are taken every day in local authorities and businesses.

The increase in the mean global temperature can be limited if we all make use of the opportunities that actually exist. We now all have enough knowledge to take action. Reducing emissions demands both political decisions and personal commitment.

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8. Does it really matter what I do myself?

In Sweden, households account for almost half of emissions that affect the climate. What you buy and where you buy it, what you eat, how you travel, what temperature you keep your home at and how much you use lights, computers and domestic appliances: all these choices matter a lot.

If you save electricity, we don’t need to import energy from coal- and oil-fired power stations. And you save yourself money. Replacing an oil-fired boiler with one that burns pellets will pay for itself in a few years. Changing to a fuel-efficient or green car will reduce emissions. If you also leave the car at home and walk, cycle or take public transport instead, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced still further. What’s more you will save money and you’ll be healthier.

Everything you do matters!

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Replace ordinary light bulbs with low-energy lamps. It will pay for itself. They are five times more efficient and last ten times longer.

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9. Developing countries are worst affected

– what can we do?

The industrialised world causes most human climate impact, however it’s developing countries that suffer most from climate change. So it’s up to us to make the biggest reduction in emissions. We in the rich world need to face up to the harm we are inflicting on people in developing countries and island nations prone to flooding.

Many developing countries need help in adapting to climate change. At the same time, it’s also important to support developing countries with energy-efficient techno-logy so that emissions do not increase as these countries’ economies grow.

Parallel to this, we must continue to work to reduce emissions in Sweden and in other industrialised countries. Only then will we really be able to limit the effects of climate change.

We need to take responsibility!

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We must all do our bit to create a good environment for a continued good quality of life by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.

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10. When and how will we know

that we have succeeded?

Global greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing at a significant rate. The UN’s IPCC believes that emissions will need to start to decrease soon if there is not to be a risk of serious changes to the Earth’s climate. The next 20 years are considered crucial in deciding the extent of the change in the climate.

Sweden and the EU have set a target of the mean global temperature not rising by more than two degrees. On the way to meeting Swedish climate targets, there are a number of “checkpoints” at which development is assessed and decisions can be taken on more and stronger measures. Greenhouse gas emissions in Sweden have fallen since 1990. But many new measures are still required if emis-sions are to decrease to a sufficient extent.

The IPCC regularly assesses our impact on the climate and offers advice to governments around the world. The most recent assessment was made in 2007. The conclusions drawn in these reports indicate that the world has started moving in the right direction.

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SE-106 48 Stockholm, Sweden.Tel +46 8 698 10 00 ISBN 978-91-620-8418-9 www .gracecommunic ation .se 2009-09

| Photography front cover

: Lena Paterson/T

iofoto