Climate change

Firstly, what is climate? Climate is the average pattern of weather, over many years for a particular place. Climate is not the same as weather, which we experience day to day, such as wind, rain or sun. Weather can change quickly, but climate describes the bigger picture over a long period of time.

What is climate change?

Climate change is often talked about, but it is not always clear what it means. Since the early 1900s, scientists have seen major changes in the Earth’s climate, and most of these are linked to human activities. The greenhouse effect helps explain this. A greenhouse stays warm because it traps heat, and the Earth’s atmosphere does something similar by holding on to some of the sun’s warmth. This natural process keeps the planet at a temperature where people, animals and plants can survive. When we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, extra gases build up in the atmosphere and trap more heat than normal. This causes the planet to warm and leads to global warming.

Why is climate change a problem?

When the Earth becomes too warm, it affects the plants and animals we rely on for food and other resources. Changing weather patterns make it harder to grow crops, and melting ice caps cause sea levels to rise, which can lead to flooding. Warmer oceans also absorb more heat, which creates a cycle of damage that affects entire ecosystems. Some species may not survive these rapid changes. 

 

Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases, and it can stay in the atmosphere for up to one thousand years. You can think of the atmosphere like a bathtub filling with water. If we keep adding water, it will eventually overflow. To prevent this, we need to do two things: reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we produce and remove some of the carbon dioxide already in the air. This idea is known as Net Zero. 

Where do greenhouse gasses come from?

The main sources of greenhouse gases are:

  • Energy – burning fuels to heat homes, power factories, or run cars and planes 

  • Farming – especially raising animals like cows and growing rice, which release methane, another greenhouse gas 

  • Industry – making too many products we don’t need, which creates waste 

  • Destroying Nature – cutting down trees and destroying wetlands, which would normally soak up carbon dioxide 

When people talk about climate change, they usually focus on these emissions, but pollution and environmental damage also play a big role. For example, cutting down forests, spilling oil, dumping chemicals, and overfishing all harm the planet's natural systems. 

How did this happen?

The way we live today, with machines, cars and factories, began around 1760 during the Industrial Revolution. This was when people started using coal and other fuels to power machines, build cities and increase trade. Life became easier in many ways, but it also released large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which began warming the planet. 

Do we need to worry?

Scientists think that climate change will affect many parts of our world. They agree that it is a very serious problem, and many leaders see it as one of the biggest challenges humans have faced in recent times. 

Why we need to act quickly

If we do not start fixing the problem soon, the climate could become much more unpredictable. This would make it harder to grow enough food for everyone. Changes in rainfall, heat and storms could affect crops, water supplies and the health of communities around the world. 

The impact on nature

Some types of animals and plants might even disappear forever.

Who is most affected?

Climate change hurts everyone, but some people suffer more than others. Often, the people least responsible for the problem are hit the hardest. For example:

  • people in areas with high air pollution, like busy roads, may have worse health problems
  • coastal villages face flooding as sea levels rise
  • in some countries, like Nigeria, oil spills ruin rivers that people depend on for drinking water and fishing

Around the world, poorer communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds are often the most affected by environmental issues. Richer nations, which have contributed the majority of emissions, must take greater responsibility for addressing the problem.

Can we stop climate change?

Most climate experts agree that we need to act quickly to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. We may not be able to stop climate change completely, but we can limit how severe it becomes. To do this, we all need to think about the energy we use in daily life and try to use less. If everyone makes small changes, we can reduce emissions and help protect the planet. Is there something you or your family could do to make a difference? 

What can we do?

Even though the problem is big, we can fix it if we work together. Changing how we live can not only protect the environment but also make life better for everyone. For example, tackling climate change can:

  • improve health by reducing pollution
  • create fairer opportunities for people everywhere
  • help us rethink problems like racism, poverty, and unfair politics

We’re working hard to:

  • create pollution free streets by your schools in Lewisham
  • remove school heating systems that use fossil fuels, using heat pumps instead
  • create flood defences, nature gardens and beehives in our schools

People all over the world are already finding solutions and imagining a future without fossil fuels. By working together, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more hopeful world for everyone.

Case studies for climate action

  1. Energy

    Using fuels from other countries can make energy prices go up and down. For example, when the UK needed gas from Russia, the prices went up a lot during the war in Ukraine. At the same time, energy companies made very high profits.

    South London Community Energy (SELCE) have new initiatives to make energy. They put solar panels on buildings like schools so they can make their own clean energy from sunlight.

    Glossary: Solar PV means special 'Photovoltaic' panels that turn sunlight into electricity.

  2. Fuel Poverty

    Making homes warmer and using less energy can help families who struggle to pay their bills. In Lewisham, the Council are working to make 1,000 homes more energy efficient. They are using solar panels and heat pumps instead of gas boilers. They’ve raised £3.5 million to make homes better for families. In 2024, SELCE helped 1,381 vulnerable people save money by using less energy at home. 

    Glossary: Retrofitting means making old homes better at keeping heat in and using cleaner energy.

  3. Waste

    Lewisham Council doesn’t send waste to landfills but burns it instead, which still pollutes the air. The borough produces enough rubbish each day to fill 22,000 football pitches! This works out to about 42kg per person every year. Buying and throwing away less can help save money and stop pollution.

    Our leftovers from food bins are now collected and turned into energy and fertiliser for growing more food with.

  4. Overproduction

    Fixing and reusing items is better for the environment than throwing them away or recycling. You can visit Make Mee Studios for free sewing and repair classes. Donation Hub and Catbytes fix old electronics. We also have 17 new recycling banks for clothes and electronics in Lewisham, where you can put your old things. 

    Did you know? 150 billion items of clothing are made every year, but 40% are never worn. Buying second-hand clothes is a great way to help the planet and reduce waste. 

  5. Air quality

    Breathing dirty air from cars can make people sick. In the UK, about 40,000 deaths every year are caused by air pollution.

    It’s a good idea to walk, cycle, and scoot to school instead of driving.

    Lewisham now has 50 School Streets where cars are not allowed, to make it safer and healthier for us to walk or cycle to school.

  6. Biodiversity Loss

    Humans have destroyed about half of the trees on Earth, but in Lewisham, we are planting and protecting trees. The borough has 33,052 trees, which help clean the air and absorb carbon. These trees take in enough carbon to power all the streetlights in Lewisham.

    School children in Lewisham are also helping by creating tiny forests in our parks, like in Ladywell, to help nature and give people green spaces.

  7. Ocean acidification

    Oceans are becoming more acidic because they absorb too much carbon dioxide. This harms coral reefs, which are home to 25% of sea life. If we don’t act, 60% of reefs could disappear in the next 20 years.

    The Horniman Aquarium in Lewisham is helping coral reefs. They were the first in the world to make coral reproduce in a lab, which could help save reefs in the future.

  8. Heat

    Cities can get much hotter than the countryside because of roads and buildings that trap heat. The more trees we plant, and all our community gardens means the Lewisham is getting more shade and cooler air.

  9. Flooding

    Lewisham could flood because it is near the River Thames. The borough had a big flood in 1968. People are working hard to build better drainage in schools, parks, and walkways to protect Lewisham from floods.

  10. Education

    Learning about climate change can be hard, but projects like Retrofit Action for Tomorrow (RAFT) are helping. They are teaching schools to use cleaner energy and helping children learn how to take action to protect the planet.