The Sun heats the surface of the Earth, which in turn reflects energy or heat back to space. Around the world is a layer of gases called the atmosphere that traps some of this heat from escaping. This very important process maintains a temperature that ensures life flourishes on earth.

Greenhouse gases are released naturally from various sources however, since the industrial revolution humans have been releasing more and more greenhouse gases from factory processes, coal and gas power stations, transport and waste. The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the more heat gets trapped that disrupts the way our planet's systems work

Over the last 100 years, average global surface temperature increased by around 0.7°C. Eleven of the warmest years since 1860 have come in the past 12 years. There has also been an increase in heatwaves, fewer frosts, retreat of glaciers and sea ice and a rise in sea level during the 20th century of approximately 17 cm. It has become possible to sail around the arctic on what is called the north-west passage, a route which took Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, nearly two years to cross in the early 1900s. Many species of both plants and animals have moved to different locations and changed the timing of seasonal activities. In Scotland for example, puffin numbers have decreased by a third in recent years due to changes in sea temperatures forcing their food source, the sand eel, to move to different areas.

For the majority of the past 10,000 years carbon dioxide has been quite stable. However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, some 250 years ago, human activity has meant that the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased dramatically. The current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at its highest for 650,000 years, and possibly for 20 million years.

For the majority of the past 10,000 years carbon dioxide has been quite stable. However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, some 250 years ago, human activity has meant that the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have increased dramatically. The current concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at it’s highest for 650,000 years, and possibly for 20 million years.

The observed changes in temperature since about 1970 cannot be explained solely by natural causes such as solar activity and volcano eruption. Reconstructions of climate data for the past 1000 years indicates that this recent warming is unusual and is unlikely to have resulted from natural causes alone.

The sun’s energy drives the earth’s climate and its activity can change dramatically. While since the 1970s, global temperatures have risen, measured solar activity over this period has not changed significantly. Therefore the activity of the sun cannot explain why temperatures are changing at the current rate.

The Earth has always experienced cold and warm periods, with ice ages historically extending about 90,000 years and the warmer period lasting about 10,000 years. These natural climate changes were due to variations in Earth's orbit that affect the amount of sunlight reaching its surface. Greenhouse gas concentrations changed with the temperature variations and also caused changes in the planet’s climate.

Simulations using sophisticated computer-based climate models confirm that climate change during the past 50 years was mainly caused by human activities that have increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.

The Industrial Revolution that kick started man-made climate change happened first in Britain. The amount of carbon dioxide we release per person is actually bigger than that of China and India. Indeed lots of what these two countries are producing are exported to us!

The best thing we can do as one of the most high carbon and quickest developers is to set an example of long term carbon reduction for others to follow.