Climate-change agreement becomes law

18 February 2005

After seven long years of negotiations, the Kyoto agreement has now come into force. Participating countries have committed to reducing their emissions of the gases that cause climate change. This week scientists met in Houston to discuss how climate change might affect us.

Antenna listens in...
Participating countries must cut emissions to 5 per cent below their 1990 levels by 2012.
Forward planning is needed to prevent London turning into the usual chaos that comes with extreme weather. At risk areas will need new types of resilient buildings and green spaces to act as flood plains.
'Over the next 50 years there will be more flooding in low-lying areas; for example in East London where large building developments are planned. Roads, underpasses and the sewage system will flood with more intense rainfall.'
Julian Hunt, climate-change expert, University College London

Julian Hunt, climate-change expert, University College London

Image: University College London

Planning for extremes is necessary, but Kyoto is all about limiting emissions. With the US government refusing to sign, how much can we achieve?
'Although the USA have not signed the agreement, many US companies are developing energy efficient technologies that will help the world limit climate change.'
Julian Hunt
'Becoming more energy efficient will not only help prevent climate change, but you will save money too. If you installed solar electricity panels at home, you could save 30% of your electricity bill.'
David Pitcher, green-energy expert, Energy Conservation and Solar Centre
Solar panels don't come cheap. Is there anything else I can do to save energy and combat climate change?
If we all used energy more efficiently, we could easily meet the targets of the Kyoto agreement.

Find out more about climate change and saving energy. Follow the links below to the Science Museum's website 'Energy - fuelling the future' ...

Image: Freefoto.com

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