Burning up

                                                                                         

Everyday almost every UK household produces carbon dioxide through energy use. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.

Our electricity is mainly generated from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. This process produces carbon dioxide. Although cars produce a lot of CO2, the amount pales in comparison to that emitted in the making of electricity.

6 tonnes of carbon dioxide are produced by the average house each year.

Carbon dioxide, combined with other gases, when emitted into the atmosphere form a blanket around the Earth, helping to prevent heat from escaping. Without the greenhouse effect, the average temperature on Earth would be around -18 degrees centigrade, compared with the current average of around +15 degrees centigrade.

The weather, plants, animals and our health have been and will be affected by this increase in temperature.

Already, over the last 40years, in the UK we have seen warmer winters, heavier rains and hotter, drier summers, which can be attributed to global warming.

In 2003, heat waves killed thousands of people across Europe. By the end of the century, similar heat waves and temperatures of over 40 degrees centigrade could be commonplace in the UK.

Because of the change in temperature, many of the species of animals and plants that we traditionally associate with Britain may disappear. England’s green and pleasant lands may become brown and burnt.

People living in the UK may also suffer increased health problems as a result of the greenhouse effect. Cataracts, skin cancer and even some tropical diseases, such as Dengue Fever and West Nile virus, are associated with hotter climates. In the US, the numbers of mosquitoes carrying tropical diseases recorded have increased due to rising temperatures.

To slow down the greatest disaster which could affect our planet, it is clear that our electricity use needs to change.

About the author:
British Gas is the UK's greenest gas and electricity supplier, central heating provider, and energy efficiency advisor. Reduce your electricbills and carbon footprint by switching to British Gas online today.

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