We can't avoid the issue of climate change. The Media is full of debate on the matter on an almost daily basis. Scientific studies now broadly agree that change is taking place and that it is adversely affecting the world's poorest nations right now.

While the emerging economic power houses of China, India and Brazil are now beginning to contribute severely to global carbon emissions, we in the developed nations have been pumping CO2 into the atmosphere in increasing measure since the Industrial Revolution.

For this reason, with support from Defra's Climate Change Communications initiative, the Mayor of London aims to raise awareness and develop a shift in attitudes towards climate change in London through various initiatives and campaigns.

Premier Radio is pleased to support this initiative, which starts in the capital but is an initiative we should all embrace, wherever we live.

Quick Links section:

1. What is climate change?
2. How do we affect climate change?
3. How does my lifestyle affect climate change in the poorest nations?
4. How will climate change affect London?
5. What can I do?

What is climate change?

Climate change is how the average weather of our planet varies over time. The average temperature of the Earth's surface is rising bringing more extreme weather conditions such as flooding, hurricanes and drought.

How do we affect climate change?

The burning of fossil fuels for energy usage (coal, oil and gas) produces carbon dioxide (C02) - a greenhouse gas that stays in the atmosphere trapping heat.

Carbon dioxide can be naturally filtered out of the atmosphere by trees, but widespread deforestation is increasingly preventing this. In major cities such as London, the biggest source of C02 emissions that cause climate change come from the production of the energy we use in our homes.

Cities are responsible for 75% of global carbon emissions. The less energy city-dwellers use, the less C02 will be pumped into the air from power stations etc. Around the globe, 50,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa were attributed to climate change in 2000 alone.

Elsewhere, smaller islands in the Caribbean and Oceania are in danger from rising sea levels while glaciers in China, Nepal and central Asia are rapidly receding. Southern China, parts of India and Bangladesh are more prone to severe flooding now than ever before.

London may be more sensitive to temperature rises in future because it is a fairly dense, urban settlement. Dark roofs and surfaces such as roof tiles and roads reflect less light and so absorb more heat.

By the 2080's, London's Summer mean temperature could be comparable to present day New York. London is also more at risk of flooding than any other city in the UK as much of it is built on a flood plain and the Thames Barrier is already in urgent need of upgrading to deal with the possibility of freak Spring tides.

London is also one of the driest cities in the world with water resources per person similar to that in Israel.

Climate change is a problem for everyone from individuals to businesses and government. We can start to make a difference by reducing our energy usage in very simple ways.

Visit the DIY Planet Repairs website at www.london.gov.uk/diy for more useful information.

Heating

Most of the UK’s CO2 domestic emissions come from energy used for heating houses. Turn the thermostat down by 1°C to reduce your contribution by 10 per cent and save about £40 a year.

Kettle

Filling the kettle to the top when you only need a mug-full of water wastes electricity. Just put in as much as you need and you’all save money. It’ll boil quicker too

Oven

Turn your oven off five minutes before the recipe says and the residual heat will take care of the final cooking while saving you five minutes of gas or electricity.

Fridge

Three things you can do to help your fridge stay cool and run more efficiently: don’t overfill your fridge; leave freshly cooked food to cool before putting it away; and don’t leave the door open.

Roof

Properly insulate your loft! Visit www.london.gov.uk/insulate for advice. The over 70's or those in receipt of benefits may be entitled to professionally fitted insulation for free. Call 0845 070 5059.