ABSTRACT
We know climate is changing. We also know that at least part of the reason is related to human pollution of the global atmosphere. Given that greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere will continue to increase for the forseeable future, we can use climate models to make predictions about future climate. Such predictions form the basis of the growing concern, both nationally and internationally, about the potential dislocations such climate change may cause to our natural and social systems. Nationally, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has established the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) to facilitate assessments of an array of impacts that climate change may have within the UK. This programme of activities will assist in the development of national climate mitigation and adaptation policies. Internationally, the United Nations has established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to report on the state of knowledge in this area; the Third Assessment Report of the IPCC is now in preparation and is due to be published in early 2001.
