Global temperature is rising fast. Scientists say that human activity and the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is causing a shift in the global climate. If this isn’t addressed soon, irreversible damage may be caused to our planet and way of life.

And it won’t just be getting a little warmer. Climate change resulting in warmer global temperatures will change rainfall patterns, cause snow and ice to melt and affect the intensity of extreme weather such as storms and heat-waves. This will have big knock-on effects that will alter the way in which our societies work.

Already suffering from shortages of food, water and energy, the impacts of climate change will be borne disproportionately by the poor and vulnerable in developing countries. 15 million people in Vietnam and 17 million people in Bangladesh are under threat of displacement due to rising sea levels. The global total of people flooded each year is projected to increase from less than five million now to between 160 million and 370 million by 2100.

Countries are trying to negotiate a global agreement through the United Nations to reduce emissions and promote low carbon development. In 2009, world leaders met in Copenhagen but were unable to reach a legally binding deal to tackle climate change.  While there was an agreement that global warming must be limited to 2 degrees, there were no specific targets set for emissions reductions and many other details were left unresolved including the financing required to fight climate change.

The most recent round of negotiations took place in Cancun in December 2010.  While a legally binding agreement was still not finalised, progress was made on a number of key areas including the requirement of all countries (including developing countries) to reduce emissions, a new fund for developing countries to tackle climate change and a framework for countries to reduce deforestation.  For more information about the Cancun talks click here.

The UK Energy Bill

In the UK, the government introduced the Energy Bill into Parliament in December 2010 with the intention of reducing carbon emissions and insulating households from rising fuel costs. Improving energy efficiency in our homes and buildings is the cheapest and quickest way to cut carbon. Our homes and buildings are responsible for 43 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. By 2020, the UK must reduce carbon emissions by at least by 42 per cent; and by 2016, eliminate fuel poverty.

So far, the government won’t outline what the Bill is supposed to deliver and achieve – and there’s nothing in there at present to make sure that their policies are tough enough. We want the Bill to be tightened so that the Government has to commit to deliver policies that cut carbon by at least 42% (by 2020) and eliminate fuel poverty (by 2016).

As part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, we are calling on our supporters to email their MPs to say that we want a better Energy Bill - help us make sure the government delivers a Bill that will cut carbon, lower fuel bills, and create tens of thousands of green jobs.

Email your MP now!

Take action

• Watch the War on Climate Change campaign video here

• Download the Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change here

• Read about Islam & Climate Change here

• Download our template Khutbah (sermon) for your local mosque here