The UK declared a climate emergency in 2019 because climate change is the biggest threat to our world.
In the UK, climate change will increase flooding, create more extreme weather and threaten our food supply chain.
It’s scary. But what can we do about it?
Governments and organisations have the greatest responsibilities but there are lots of things you can do yourself to make a difference.
Take our quiz to find out more…
What was the upper temperature increase limitation agreed at the Paris Agreement in 2015?
The Paris Agreement in 2015 was a deal made by nearly 200 countries and agreed to reduce the amount of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, although this is progress only some of the elements in the Paris Agreement are legally binding, leaving further scope for action.
True or false - water vapour is a greenhouse gas?
A greenhouse gas is a gas that can absorb infrared radiation in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat and cause temperatures to rise, this is known as global warming or climate change.
What year did the Committee for Climate Change suggest the UK should reach net zero emissions?
The Committee for Climate Change was set up as an independent group under The Climate Change Act 2008, to advise the government on emissions targets and to report the progress made in reducing greenhouse gases.
The term net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere, and the carbon removed from it. This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed.
What year did Extinction Rebellion protesters call on the UK to reach net zero?
Extinction Rebellion is an international movement dedicated to achieving radical change in policy on climate change. Protesters are increasingly occupying areas around the UK to highlight a number of demands around environmental policy and climate change.
Which sector has the highest amount of carbon dioxide emissions?
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) releases an annual report on greenhouse gas emission figures divided up by industrial sector. Our figures were taken from the 2019 report.
Which sector had the lowest amount of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019?
True or false - reducing food waste can reduce your carbon footprint?
What can you do to reduce your own carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide your actions and activities release into the air. This includes any products you buy, and the emissions involved in making them, as well as emissions created when you travel, and emissions from your home.
Non-renewable energy use can be one of the major sources of emissions that make up your personal carbon footprint - true or false?
Renewable energy is created from a sustainable system, such as solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines or heat pumps. Non-renewable energy is created from fossil fuels, such as gas or oil-burning systems.
So you don't know everything; let's face it, none of us do.
We can't see exactly how the climate emergency is going to play out over the next few years, but what we do know is that we all need to take action to mitigate climate change now.
Here are some things you can do:
Very impressive - you're clearly well up on emissions and the climate emergency.
But none of us have the full picture of exactly how the climate emergency is going to play out over the next few years. What we do know is that we all need to take action to mitigate climate change now.