Frequently asked questions

Climate change is the significant, long-term change in weather patterns due to a change in global average temperatures. The current temperature increase is being driven by human activity.

The warming is largely due to the increased concentration of certain types of gas in the atmosphere. These gasses trap heat in our atmosphere and warm the planet -the greenhouse effect. The most widely emitted of these greenhouse gasses is carbon dioxide, which is produced when we burn fossil fuels and released when we cut down forests.

Current effects of climate change include more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods and forest fires, more powerful hurricanes and rising sea levels. It affects the price of food you buy in the shops and the weather when you leave the house. Climate change affects almost every life form on earth. It has led to the extinction of many species and a change in the habitats and migration patterns of many more.

Future effects, if sufficient action is not taken, are expected to include mass displacement and migration due to rising sea levels, wide spread famine due to food shortages and droughts due to water shortages, military conflicts over land and natural resources, global economic destabilisation and widespread ecological collapse.

No.

We can stop catastrophic climate change, but time is running out and the level of action required is significant.

Scientists predict we have until 2030 to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (we’re already above 1°C). A temperature increase of 1.5°C is considered the ‘safe’ threshold. Above 1.5°C, the risk of extreme weather events, sea level rise, droughts, poverty and mass migration, significantly increase.

We can stop climate change, but our action must be decisive, bold and urgent and must come from all corners of society.

We stop burning fossil fuels. We redesign our industries and remove their dependence on fossil fuels. We invest in clean technology and renewable energy. We stop deforestation and restore broken ecosystems. We change the way we farm and the way we shop. We improve efficiency and we consume less. And we do it quickly.

This all sounds pretty daunting, but in the longer term it creates a far better way of life. A future where pollution is a thing of the past. Oil companies don’t wield power over society. Our air is cleaner and people are healthier. There are more open, natural spaces. Our oceans are cleaner, marine life is more abundant and plants and animals have the space and opportunity to thrive.

This is a better future that we are fighting for. A future where the world is safer, cleaner, fairer and more harmonious.

The first step however – the most important step – is that we each find a way to engage with climate change and become a part of the solution.

There are a number of important things you can do to minimise the impact you have on the planet and reduce your carbon footprint. Our list of 5 easy ways you can fight climate change every day can be found here

If you want to do something outside your day-to-day life that will have a positive impact on stopping climate change, you can:

• use your voice – on social media or in person – to show that you care and encourage others to take action;
• join a climate protest to put pressure on politicians or corporations;
• use your vote to bring about change; or
• make a donation to a charity that’s taking action on climate change.

Ultimately, we think the most important thing you can do is join a movement for change and get others to do the same. Whether it’s Climate Giving, 350, Extinction Rebellion or anyone else. Join other people who are taking action. Bring people together. We are stronger united.

Climate Giving offers you a simple way to help stop climate change.

You can donate to some of the most exciting organisations fighting climate change for as little as £2 a month. Organisations with amazing stories, doing incredible work around the world to stop climate change.

You can plant trees, educate business leaders, fight to keep oil in the ground, affect policies, fund research, innovate, educate and much, much more – all with a single monthly donation.

These are vitally important actions in the fight against climate change and they all need funding. You can make a real difference.

But of course we know that climate change can't be solved through donations alone.

We support a far broader set of actions, from political activism, to footprint reduction, to considering the impact our consumer choices have on the planet.

Climate Giving gives you a way to do more. To join others and drive change for a better future.