Earth warming faster than first thought....

The worst-case scenarios on climate change envisaged by the UN are already being realised, say scientists at an international meeting in Copenhagen. In a statement outlining their six key messages to political leaders, they say there is an increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climate shifts. Even modest temperatures rises will affect millions of people, particularly in the developing world, they warn. But most tools needed to cut global carbon dioxide emissions already exist. More than 2,500 researchers and economists attended this meeting designed to update the world on the state of climate research ahead of key political negotiations set for December this year. New data was presented in Copenhagen on sea level rise, which indicated that the best estimates of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made two years ago were woefully out of date. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Climate Change info...

Year 12s - check this out! Some excellent extra reading on climate change...Remember your casestudies - Africa and the Arctic...Year 13s - have a look, we will be studying climate change next year but its a useful link to bookmark now! Miss M.

Climate change plans

The government has committed the UK to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the middle of this century. Climate Change and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the current 60% target would be replaced by a higher goal. He told MPs the government would not "row back" on green issues in the light of the current economic crisis. He also warned the big energy companies they face a crackdown on "unfair" pricing policies in his first statement as head of the new department. Mr Miliband told MPs the government accepted all the recommendations of the report from Lord Turner's Committee on Climate Change. The target does not include aviation or shipping emissions - but Mr Miliband said they would "play a part" in the government's overall strategy. Read full story here. Miss M.

Climate Change

Negotiators from more than 172 countries are meeting in Bonn to hammer out a deal that may culminate in a new global climate agreement. In this week's Green Room, UN climate chief Yvo de Boer argues that negotiators want to see more of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, not less. "The challenge is now to design a deal that will deliver the type of emission reductions that the scientific community tells us are urgently needed. When countries gather for UN climate change negotiations, they meet to respond to what can arguably be described as the greatest challenge ever to face humanity. The prospect of rising sea levels, ever more incidences of drought and flooding, along with water and food shortages for billions of people, are monumental threats. The extent to which greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced will determine our future, that of our children, and of generations to come" Read in full here. Miss M.

Climate Change loans...

Development campaigners have accused the UK government of making a stealth cut to an £800m fund designed to help poor countries adapt to climate change. Ministers said they were proud to have set a moral lead when the Environmental Transformation Fund was launched. The government now says an unspecified amount will go out as interest-free loans but insists it never pledged all the money would be used as aid. Read the full story here. Miss M.

Hmm an interesting way to combat climate change!

Is this the way forward?? Id be interested to hear your opinions...Miss M.

Climate change

Hmm doesnt make for the happiest of reading! This comes after the climate conference in Bali...Miss M.