What is climate change?

Climate change isn't a problem for the future, it's affecting people around the world today.

Human activities are damaging the fragile balance of gases in the atmosphere and changing the climate. There will be a huge cost to economies and societies as they cope with the changes that result.

As the average temperature rises and glaciers and icecaps melt, sea levels will rise. Islands and coastal communities are under threat. Deserts are already growing, and droughts and extreme weather are becoming more common in some areas. Vulnerable communities, who rely on a stable climate and make their living from the land and sea, are the hardest hit - but life could change dramatically for all of us.

This isn't a nightmare scenario - it's the reality that we're facing now. If we act together, we can slow down our impact on the climate, so we can cope more easily with the changes taking place. It's the responsibility of everyone - governments, business and individuals - to do what they can to respond to climate change. No one can solve this problem on their own.

What about developing countries?

As countries develop they need more energy supplies and this often means producing more carbon emissions. However, developing countries are becoming more and more concerned about how climate change will affect them.

For example, China is taking major steps to reduce its emissions, as several hundred million people in that country depend on a stable climate for the glaciers which supply their rivers. Around the world, people are working together to make sure that countries can develop without harming the climate.

What is BT doing?

At BT, we see climate change as an area where our business can make a big positive contribution to society. Information Communication Technology (ICT) will be essential for businesses and individuals to thrive in a carbon-constrained world.

At the same time, we have to reduce our contribution to climate change through our use of energy. The business sector is already responding to climate change; total UK business-related CO2 emissions have fallen by 8.4% since 1990, and BT's share of the emissions are currently at 60% below their 1996 levels.