Climate Change
What is Climate Change?
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. While the Earth’s climate has always changed over time, the current changes are happening much faster — and it’s largely due to human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
These activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the planet to warm. This process is known as the greenhouse effect, and it’s already impacting the world around us — from more extreme weather events to rising sea levels and changes to wildlife and ecosystems.
Why Does It Matter?
The effects of climate change are becoming more visible every year — through floods, wildfires, droughts, and rising energy and food costs. It threatens not only our environment but also our health, homes, and future generations.
By taking action now, we can slow down global warming and protect the things we care about most.
Important Climate Change Terms
Here are some key terms to help you understand climate change and the actions we can take:
Emission
Greenhouse gases released into the air from things like driving, farming, and burning fuels. These gases trap heat and warm the planet.
The Greenhouse Effect
Extra carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels builds up in the atmosphere, trapping heat like a blanket and raising global temperatures.
Net Zero
A balance where the amount of greenhouse gases we emit is equal to the amount we remove from the atmosphere.
Decarbonisation
Cutting carbon emissions by switching to cleaner energy sources and greener practices — like using solar panels or electric vehicles.
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases caused by your actions — like how you travel, heat your home, or what you buy. A smaller footprint means less impact on the planet.
What Is the UK Doing About It?
The UK Government has committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 and is working on various plans and policies to get there.
- Read more on Greenpeace’s summary of UK climate action
- See how the UK is tracking its goals on the BBC website
What Can You Do?
Everyone has a role to play — from changing how we travel, shop, and use energy, to supporting green policies and local nature projects. Explore the other pages in this section to find out how you can take climate action in Pendle.