Climate Change - Introduction
Summer day in Wellington
Wellington City Council is concerned about addressing the impacts of climate change. It has committed to a vision of becoming a carbon neutral city, and is working to reduce the city’s carbon-footprint.
The effects of climate change are increasingly evident, and predicted to continue to affect future generations for many years to come. Climate change is likely to impact on our homes, work and leisure activities.
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases emitted naturally from trees and animals help make the planet a warm and habitable place. They act like the outside covering of a greenhouse, trapping inside the heat from the sun.
Earth's climate is warming as increasing greenhouse gas emissions trap more heat.
Greenhouse emissions are mainly due to human development activities such as:
- fossil fuel burning (coal, natural gas and petrol) for energy production
- landfills releasing methane
- industrial production processes
- transportation
- agriculture and livestock
- deforestation.
South Coast clouds
Global Warming
According to scientific consensus, global warming is changing the world’s climate.
Even if greenhouse emissions were significantly reduced immediately, the warming effect would continue for 30 - 50 years as these gases remain in the atmosphere for a long time.
At the current emissions rate, the global temperature could be expected to increase 0.5ºC by 2050. However, while emissions continue to accelerate, scientists predict a 2ºC - 5ºC increase by 2050. Emissions would have to be reduced quickly to lessen this.
Climate Change Impacts
Scientists can only guess at what the effects and their extent might be on a global, national, local and personal level.
Immediate environmental effects would include more extreme weather events (floods, storms, cyclones, droughts and landslips) and impacts on ecosystems (cropping, biodiversity, pests and diseases).
Related Links
- Climate Change Vision – June 2007 (138Kb PDF)
- Climate Change Action Plan
- Environmental Strategy (290Kb PDF)
- Ministry for the Environment – Climate Change website
Department Details:
Policy
