"The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have the facts and solutions. All we have to do is wake up and change." -Greta Thunberg

Have you heard the name before, Greta Thunberg? Named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2019, Greta Thunberg was the youngest person ever to be crowned that title at only 16 years of age! But, what exactly is Greta Thunberg doing that is so remarkable and worthy of worldwide recognition? She's addressing the younger generations about climate change.

By her peaceful protests, Thunberg is pressuring and encouraging others to do the same, world leaders to take immediate action about climate change. Her radical methods and outspokenness have inspired young ones and adults who want their children to learn in a better world.

Because of Thunberg and many other passionate climate change activists, in the past few years, people have started to recognise that global warming is an issue that we must all confront, even in the United Kingdom.

So, without further ado, in today's article, we shall discuss climate change, how the UK will be affected by rising temperatures shortly, and what the government is doing to prevent global warming.

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What is Climate Change?

Before we start mentioning all of the different ways that the UK will be affected by climate change, it's essential to define climate change. So, what is Climate Change? Closely related to global warming, climate change is the scientific observation of weather patterns and long-term shifts in temperature. Through climate change, we can identify the causes of global warmings, such as greenhouse gases and too many CO2 emissions.

Also, it's worth stating that the causes of climate change are all because of human activities such as consumerism, farming livestock, deforestation, oil drilling, power plants, and an overabundance of waste.

There are many detrimental social and economic effects of climate change that are currently affecting the lives of millions of people. If nothing is done, even more people will be impacted by the devastating natural disasters caused by global warming.

In certain countries, where the climate situation is still relatively stable, such as the UK, some might wonder how badly Brits will be affected by the climate effects shortly? Read the following subheading to find out the answer.

How Badly Will the UK Be Affected By Climate Changes in the Future?

global warming is coming — As a result of human activities, in the UK, many corporations emit greenhouses in the atmosphere. (Source: Unsplash)

Since planet earth is currently being slammed by global warming and the UK is situated on the third rock from the sun, climate change is inescapable for the UK.

To get an idea of the impacts of climate change, the list below highlights a few negative factors that can be observed earth-wide:

Fewer water supplies
Conflict and climate migrants
Flooding one place after another,
Flooding of the coastal regions of countries and cities,
Damage to marine ecosystems
Fisheries failing to produce enough foods,
Loss of biodiversity on land,
Changes in the seasons,
Heat stresses everywhere,
More pests, bugs, and detrimental fungi,
Deforestation and increased risk of forest fires,
Damage to infrastructure caused by natural disasters,
Food insecurity and lack of healthy crops.

The previously mentioned list shows how intense earth conditions are becoming.

But, how badly will it get in the UK? Although there are many differing reports from scientists, the result is the same: if nothing is done, the United Kingdom will face devastating effects of climate change in the next few decades.

The following are a few of the ways the UK is being affected by climate change now and will be in the future:

Intense Heat Waves: 2018 had an extreme heatwave in the UK that was unprecedented; however, according to research, by 2050, insanely hot heatwaves will happen every other year, causing serious harm to ecosystems and people's health.
Heavy Rainfall: in the next few decades, the United Kingdom will experience severe rainfall that might cause flash floods.
Windstorms: while the UK doesn't experience that severe weather, storms will be more common, and this can cause damage to people's homes and infrastructure.
Rising Sea Levels: scientists claim that even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, sea levels around the UK will keep growing beyond 2100. This means that areas at sea level will face severe threats of flooding.
Impacts on Farming: the three previously mentioned factors will affect farming since crops cannot thrive where there is too wet or too hot and too much wind.

While the UK will not be affected as strongly as other countries or nations abroad where climate conditions will make it nearly impossible to live, Brits still need to stay informed about how things are changing before their very eyes.

Though the situation seems dire, there still is a glimmer of hope for persons living in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. How's that?

Keep on reading to find out what the UK government is doing to stop climate change now.

What is the UK Doing to Prevent Climate Change and Global Warming?

good things to do for the planet — The UK is investing in renewable energy sources to help combat climate change. (Source: Unsplash)

Without governmental intervention, it's nearly impossible to stop the production of oils using fossil fuels or to implement cleaner energy sources such as solar or wind power.

Therefore, when it comes to reducing the impacts of climate change in the UK, the lonely nation looks to you, Boris and colleagues!

Similar to many developed countries, the UK is trying its best to tackle climate change, and there is a 25-year environmental plan that scientists and government officials have created.

Let's take a look at the following list that identifies the environmental benefits that the UK will work towards in the next two decades:

Clean air,
Clean and plentiful water,
Thriving plants and wildlife,
Reducing the risks of harm from environmental hazards,
Using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently,
Enhancing the beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment,
Mitigating and adapting to climate change,
Minimising waste,
Managing exposure to chemicals,
Enhancing biosecurity.

To achieve the previously mentioned environmental goals may seem like a pipe dream to some. Nonetheless, the UK's 25-year environmental plan can be learned more by consulting the governmental website.

Also, it's worth stating that the objectives to ensure a better environment and fight climate change in the UK was established through a realistic lens and will use the expertise of many professional individuals across sectors such as science, engineering, and environmentalism.

Specific goals established by the government to reduce climate change include the following:

Ban the sale of petrol-powered cars by 2040,
Minimising the loss of freshwater caused by leakage every year,
Reversing the loss of animals and biodiversity through programmes,
Creating or restoring 500,000 hectares of natural wildlife habitats,
Cut greenhouse gas emissions including from land use, land-use change, the agriculture and waste sectors and the use of fluorinated gases,
Working towards our ambition of zero avoidable waste by 2050.

By starting slowly but surely and informing as many as possible in the community, the previously mentioned goals might be met without any obstacles or opposition.

It's important to state that we can all do something to stop global warming, and that can be seen in the following paragraphs.