What on earth is climate change?

The topic of climate change seems to be everywhere, but it can be confusing and hard to understand. In Our Nature is here to change that! We’re here to bust any myths and doubts over climate change, so you understand it and can help tackle it.

Let’s do some climate myth-busting!

  • Climate change causes our weather systems to change. For some areas, this means more extreme events like droughts and hurricanes, for the UK, this means more rain and wind!

  • It may rain more up north but the UK’s supply of freshwater is at risk. A lot of our water is wasted and hotter summers cause reservoirs to dry up, leading to droughts. So, shorten those showers and turn your taps off!

  • Manchester has fewer cars per person than any other UK city outside London. But for those that do drive, 1/3 of journeys are less than a mile! So next time you need to pop to the shop or do a school drop off, walk or jump on your bike.

  • Recycling is a great first step to reducing your impact, but don’t just stop there. There are loads of easy things to fit into your routine to reduce your carbon footprint. Shortening your shower, turning your heating down and reducing your food waste all make a difference.

So, what is climate change?

Climate change refers to the long-term changes in the world's weather and temperature pattern. The earth’s temperature has changed in the past, but the emissions that humans have produced have caused the global temperature to increase at a rate that has never been recorded. This is known as human-induced climate change.


Everyday activities and processes going on in the world – from global business, industry and agriculture, to driving your car, heating our homes, and creating the products, food and materials we use - produce gases that are released into the air. These gases, known as emissions, cause heat and energy from the sun to be trapped in the atmosphere. This heat leads to the earth’s temperature to increase, which in turn affects the climate. 

What does it mean for us?

Evidence suggests that if we continue on the same path, climate change will lead to the global temperature to increase by 3-5 degrees. This sudden change disrupts the weather systems, causing droughts, flooding and extreme weather events such as hurricanes and wildfires. Climate change doesn’t just affect our weather – it also leads to food and water shortages, biodiversity loss, air pollution and causes the sea level to rise.  

But don’t lose hope. It’s still possible for us to cut our global emissions and limit the temperature rise: it will require a team effort! 

What can we do about it?

Humans have caused climate change, and humans have the power to curb it too: this gives each and every one of us the power to be part of the solution. You may not think of yourself as an eco-warrior, but the everyday actions you take at home can help reduce your impact.  

What is climate action?

The phrase climate action may bring up views of activists and protests, but climate action is all about taking everyday steps that are good for your community and the environment. You are probably already taking part in climate action without knowing it! From freezing your leftovers, using your car less and eating more plant-based food, everybody is and can be an environmentalist. 

  • What are greenhouse gases?

    Greenhouse gases are gases that absorb heat. They act as a blanket in the atmosphere to keep the earth warm and habitable (like a greenhouse). Common greenhouse gases you might have heard of are water vapour (yep, good old H20), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Ozone (O3).

  • What is the greenhouse effect?

    Everyday activities, from driving your car to heating your home, cause different greenhouse gases to be released into the air. These gases cause heat and energy from the sun to be trapped in the atmosphere - the more greenhouse gases we produce, the hotter it gets! This process is known as the greenhouse effect.

  • What is carbon dioxide?

    Carbon dioxide is a natural gas that is released into the atmosphere as a result of natural and human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy (also known as carbon emissions). Although it's harmless in small quantities, it's a greenhouse gas that stays in the atmosphere for thousands of years after it's released. The last time the atmosphere had this much CO2 in it was 3 million years ago!

  • What is my carbon footprint?

    Your carbon footprint (no, not your shoe size) relates to how much greenhouse gas you produce in your everyday life. It adds up all your everyday actions, like how you travel and what you eat, and converts all the greenhouse gases into the same unit known as Carbon equivalent (CO2e) - a bit like if you had a wallet full of different currencies but wanted to know how much you had in there just in pounds. Your carbon footprint is a good indicator of how your actions can contribute to climate change.

Want to find out your individual carbon footprint?

Manchester City Council declared a climate emergency, what does that mean?

The UK Government and 290 local councils have declared that we’re facing a climate emergency. This public declaration is a big deal and is a clear message that urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change. 

Manchester has committed to being a zero-carbon city by 2038. Reducing our city’s carbon emissions will require changes to the way we live and work, and from government and business. But change isn’t necessarily a bad thing; this is also a unique opportunity to improve our quality of life and create a city that’s healthier, better to live in and fairer for everyone. 

What does net zero mean? 

The UK government has set a target for the UK to reach net zero by 2050. Reaching “net zero” or “zero carbon”, means reaching a balance between the emissions we produce and the emissions we remove from the atmosphere. Like a seesaw, we can achieve this by either reducing our emissions or protecting and creating “carbon sinks” like forests and peatlands.