There is an overwhelming body of scientific evidence highlighting the serious and urgent nature of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, published in February 2007, shows conclusively that the debate over the science of climate change has moved on from whether or not it is happening to what action we need to take.
It is now clear that climate change has been triggered by increases in greenhouse gases, in particular those released from the use of fossil fuels. Concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are rising. As levels go up, the temperature in the atmosphere and oceans rises and weather patterns become less predictable.
At a local level, the implications could include:
- Increases in heat-related deaths and admissions with acute heat stress in summer months and other sun exposure disorders (for example skin cancer).
- Increased coastal and flood-plain flood events leading to damage to property and disruption to economic activity.
- Water shortages.
- Permanent coastal land loss leading to longer term relocation of coastal communities inland.
- Higher incidence of damage to transportation, utilities and communications infrastructure caused by extreme weather (for example heat, high winds and flooding).
St Edmundsbury Borough Council continues to work with other key organisations as part of the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership to deliver a comprehensive action plan to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The council has also developed its own Climate Change Review and Action Plan. (PDF 1.53MB)
Based on this work, we signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change (PDF 4.6Mb) on World Environment Day 5 June 2007. The council has been publishing information on its annual environmental performance, including its carbon emissions, since 2005 as well as the latest Greenhouse Gas inventory (PDF 42Kb).
For more information on what is happening in Suffolk visit Greenest County
