The UK Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King, warned in January 2004 that climate change was a far greater threat to the world than terrorism. Recent hot summers and extreme floods show that the UK is already beginning to feel the very real effects of the climate changing and it’s not all about having warmer summers - most experts believe that our weather will become increasingly unpredictable. Rising sea levels, caused by seas expanding in the hotter temperatures, already mean that some insurance companies are refusing to cover low-lying areas. The UK is likely to see more hurricanes, floods and water shortages.

Nobody can be specific about the future impacts of climate change; however there is growing scientific consensus that this is a very real and serious problem. It pays to be precautionary and take action now, rather than wait for the unpredictable and potentially disastrous consequences.

Climate change is caused by burning fossil fuels for energy, which releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Industry uses a huge amount of this energy, as do households, which use approximately 30% of the energy in the UK. Any real change starts with individuals; don't forget that industry depends upon its customers for survival so your opinions and choices matter greatly to them.

Through a combination of reducing the amount of energy we use, using energy efficiently and using more renewable forms of energy like wind and solar power, we'll be able to protect the environment for future generations.

Electricity sources
Electricity in the UK comes from a variety of sources, which are detailed in the pie chart below.