{"id":48451,"date":"2022-05-13T12:18:12","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T11:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/?p=48451"},"modified":"2022-05-13T14:33:22","modified_gmt":"2022-05-13T13:33:22","slug":"climate-change-and-its-effects-on-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/climate-change-and-its-effects-on-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate change and its effects on the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The world is facing the warmest temperature record over the next five years, predicts the UK\u2019s Meteorological Office<\/a>. With Australia facing floods and California enduring wildfires, Voice of London looks at the threat posed by climate change.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High temperatures have always been welcomed in the UK, however, why are they becoming such a common occurrence?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is climate change<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This shift in worldwide temperatures has been caused largely by humans. The great usage of oil, gas and coal has contributed to our planet getting warmer. The consequences are not far behind \u2013 carbon dioxide levels have increased<\/a> by 50%. A more shocking fact is that every decade since the 1850s is warmer<\/a> than the previous one.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UK has already faced its warmest day ever as recorded in Cambridge,<\/a> 2019. Everyone loves hot days, but when the planet suffers, should people enjoy them so much?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many ecological organisations have expressed their concern about the climate crisis. Greenpeace UK<\/a> has noticed a pattern – the 2010s have been the warmest decade so far. UNESCO participated in the UN\u2019s conference on climate change back in November 2021. In this conference, the UK vowed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero<\/a> by 2050.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Lizzie Kendon<\/a>, a senior Met Office scientist says: “I think it\u2019s really frightening. It’s just a wake-up call really as to what we\u2019re talking about here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global warming must be kept at a safe limit and for many scientists that means keeping it at 1.5C<\/a>\u00b0 However, climate change affects parts of the world differently. The UK and Europe will be prone to rainfalls and floods. Predictions for Australia- extreme heatwaves and wildfires- have already become true,<\/a> however, the country is now facing extreme flooding<\/a> too. The Middle East region and some African countries will most likely suffer with extreme heatwaves.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 But how can normal people help? <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WWF<\/a> has created an app to help people track their carbon footprints and help the planet recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. You can start helping the planet recover by cutting your usage of cars and planes, as the UN<\/a> suggests.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    1. Cut unnecessary plastic out of your life!  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      1. Use social media and contact some brands you think could change their approach into making products and distributing them. Don’t be afraid to call them out people! <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        1. Plant more trees! Talk to the Woodland Trust,<\/a> Forestry Commission,<\/a> The Tree Council<\/a> or any other local charities in your area and volunteer to work with them. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Even though Earth Day was 3 weeks ago, people should protect and celebrate their planet every day of the year.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n

          School strike week 192. This is not a \u201chappy earth day\u201d. It never has been. #EarthDay<\/a> has turned into an opportunity for people in power to post their \u201clove\u201d for the planet, while at the same time destroying it at maximum speed. #PeopleNotProfit<\/a> #FridaysForFuture<\/a> #ClimateStrike<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2Lv7sLEKyZ<\/a><\/p>— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 22, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>