SEAD (Scottish Education and Action for Development)

The world is warming as a result of human activity. This means that the delicate balance of processes that affect our weather, from ocean currents to atmospheric systems is disrupted.

Although the global average temperature is increasing, the disruption of climate systems means that some areas will experience heat and drought, some will get much colder and the incidence of extreme weather events like flooding and storms will increase.

What will be the impact of this?

If human activity continues the trend of increasing emissions of greenhouse gases we will face more chaotic and unpredictable weather patterns. This will have far-reaching effects on us, disrupting food production, health and security on many levels. Some of these effects are already happening, others can be avoided by taking action to minimise the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activity. However, this requires a concerted and co-ordinated effort on a local, national and international level.

This chart shows the relative quantities of CO2 emissions per person in different countries. The industrialised wealthy countries have a historical responsibility for the dramatic increase in global emissions of greenhouse gases, and even today the average person in Scotland is responsible for around 10 times more emissions per year than someone in India.

The World Development Movement have produced a calendar which shows how the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the average UK citizen compares to emissions caused by people in the other countries of the world.