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Climate Change
Preparing for climate change
To avoid the worst effects of climate change we need to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases to prevent the average gobal temperature increasing by more than 2°C. Every country, city, town, village and resident needs to help by playing their part. Find out how you can start reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
As well as reducing emissions, we need to prepare and adapt to the changing climate so that we are ready for the impacts on our homes, businesses, civil infrastructure and health that will arise from the effects of climate change. The climate will continue to change even if emissions are reduced to zero in the near future.
Higher temperatures, rising sea levels and more frequent, more intense storms are likely to lead to greater occurrences of heat waves and flooding. These will impact Devon’s communities through damage to property, utility networks, travel and communications infrastructure and interruptions to business supply chains. Furthermore, health and social care requirements and the way other public services are delivered are likely to change.
Planning ahead is more likely to lead to cost-effective adaptation than responding to changes as and when they happen.
How can YOU prepare for the effects of climate change?
Find out how Devon County Council is preparing for climate change
What is central government doing to prepare for climate change?