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Information on environment and climate change issues are available through various articles produced by the Foundation from its work on the environment. These can be accessed below. In addition there is: Feedback: Please let us know what you find interesting - Click here The Earth's temperature and Global WarmingGlobal warming, and its cause, is driving debate and action on greenhouse gas emissions across the world. It is, probably, the most important issue of the 21st century. Over millenia the temperature has varied due to natural phenomena and the paper on the earth's temperature and global warming explores, in a balanced way, the historical data, the reasons why temperature change takes place and the current situation. A further paper, inevitable growth in the 21st century, explores the upward pressures on global warming. Scientific evidence shows that the earth's climate continues to change as it has done for millenia. The United Nations's Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the substantial majority of expert scientific bodies world-wide currently believe that this is caused, almost exclusively, by the man-made increase in greenhouse gases. Whilst not one scientific body has formally opposed this position there are scientists who are carrying out research which shows why anticipated increases in global temperature are not taking place. The Science and Public Policy Institute, which is a non profit institute of research and education, is dedicated to sound public policy based on sound science. This Institute reports all scientific research that is recording the extent of man-made climate change and the scientific principles involved. Its monthly CO2 report tracks the changes taking place in the most important indicators and the reseach findings as these are published. These indicators do show that as of 2009 both surface and ocean temperatures have been in decline since 2002. An article in the April 2009 journal of the Chartered Insurance Institute reflects these reservations and the paper - the science is not settled - provides a balanced view of the current situation. Electricity and green house gas emissionsElectricity generation worldwide is responsible for 40% of green house gas emissions. The paper on electricity and green house gas emissions responds to the UK Government's 2007 Energy White Paper highlighting the importance of clean coal technology and carbon capture and storage. In addition the paper on emission free electricity generation reviews all types of energy generation for grid distribution, the changes in technology that are likely to take place during the 21st century and how these will progressively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The paper makes an estimate of the mix of world-wide generating capacity in 2020, 2030, 2050 and 2100 and the consequent impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Switching Lifestyles - Global warming without disasterSwitching from purchasing material goods to spending more time on social and cultural pursuits reduces the consumption of natural resources. Based on the Towards sustainable growth paper by the Industry Fellow, Kenneth Adams CVO, CBE the Foundation commissioned a report by the economic consultancy, cebr. This report Switching lifestyles - global growth without disaster stimulated an article for the press under the title How broadening the mind can help save the planet. Climate Change and the Polar RegionsMost people do not know very much about the Polar Regions or how they will impact on the world over the years ahead. The article Climate Change and the Polar Regions explores the features of the Arctic and Antarctic regions and indicates how they will impact on sea levels in the years ahead. The World in 2030Ray Hammond has written a non fiction book for PlasticsEurope - the trade association of the European Plastice Industry. This book, titled The World in 2030, is available in electronic format and has over 400 Internet links. It is positive that accelerating technological change will successfully address global warming and indicates, in depth, the most important technologies that will emerge. |
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