How climate change affects people and wildlife
How climate change affects people and wildlife
We know why our climate is changing, in some cases faster than people and wildlife can adapt. We release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels while at the same time destroying carbon absorbing nature, such as forests, seagrass and salt marches. These carbon emissions are causing the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and making the Earth warm faster than could happen naturally.
People and nature worldwide are already feeling the effects: water supplies are shrinking, extreme weather events increasing in frequency and intensity, forests burning, and coral reefs dying.
We’re living through an unprecedented cost of living crisis. With millions of people in the UK struggling to put food on the table and heat their homes. At its core, the cost-of-living crisis is also being driven by our dependence on fossil fuels and the cost of oil and gas.
Why climate action is urgent
Why climate action is urgent
Global temperatures have been rising for over a century, speeding up in the last few years. We have already warmed by 1.2 degrees since pre-industrial levels. Internationally it has been agreed to cap warming at 1.5 degrees, the limit at which we can halt the worst impacts of climate change.
Even at 1.5 degrees there is likely to be ice free summers in the artic every hundred years or so and around 70% of the worlds coral reefs lost. But at just half a degree more, 2 degrees would see the likelihood of ice free summers increasing to every ten years and the loss of nearly all the worlds coral reefs.
We know what needs to be done. We need to cut man-made greenhouse gas emissions drastically, phase out fossil fuels and move to renewable energy. We need to be more efficient and use less energy, and we need to tackle deforestation and eat less meat.
But at the moment, if all the governments of the world acted on the promises they have made, we would still reach 2.8 degrees. And we are a long way off those promises being turned into reality.
Places affected by climate change
From fragile mangrove swamps in India to the fast-decreasing icy wilderness of the Arctic to the vast oceans, the delicate balance of life in precious places all over the world is being put under stress.
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The Ganges: India's sacred river
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The Amazon Rainforest
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UK rivers and chalk streams
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The icy waters of the Arctic of the north pole
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Antarctica: a massive frozen landmass
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How we're tackling climate change
We're working with government to bring forward policies to reduce UK emissions in line with international targets and with businesses to reduce their impact and emissions. We're working to increase renewable energy use, including offshore wind farms particularly around the Scottish coast and on international policy to limit emissions from the aviation industry.
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More Influencing policies in Brazil and Colombia
We constantly work with partners and governments to keep forests standing and halt climate change. See how we are helping. -
More Sustaining the Celtic Seas
We've been instrumental in setting up the Celtic Seas Partnership, an ambitious project which aims to find new ways of managing the marine environment. -
More Transforming lives through community banks
Since 2006, we’ve established nearly 200 village-based savings and loans associations where local people can pool their savings and lend money to others. -
More Helping protect Scottish seas
Scotland's seas and coasts are home to an amazing range of marine species and habitats. -
More Working with Scottish government and parliament
We're working for positive change in Scotland by influencing the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. -
More Learn about our climate work in Scotland
We have a vision for a 100% renewable future globally by 2050 and in Scotland, a future powered solely by renewables is within our grasp even sooner.
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More Our climate change work in Wales
If we set our ambition high, show our determination, and put in the work, we can do something about the climate crisis. -
More Working with business to improve our freshwater
We see business as a key ally in helping us find solutions through water stewardship. -
More How we're holding the line in Virunga
We’re calling for all oil companies to stay out of Virunga National Park, and for the government to cancel all permits to explore for oil in the area. -
More Reducing global greenhouse emissions
Climate change is a global issue. Hence, we are working internationally to influence governments to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions. -
More Illegal Wildlife Trade in Nepal
Reducing wildlife trade in Bagmati province, Nepal. -
More Making palm oil sustainable
WWF Malaysia works with plantations to help the endangered Borneo elephant move freely.
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