What the science says about our planet’s future
Climate change is everywhere these days – in the news, on social media, and in conversations with friends and colleagues. But with so much information flying around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure about what to believe. Is climate change really as serious as people say? Is it too late to do anything? Is it even real?
While scientists call climate change the greatest threat of our time, some people doubt it’s even happening. Others feel so overwhelmed they don’t know where to start. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, trying to make sense of it all and wondering whether our individual actions have any impact.
Back in 2013, the satirical TV show Yes, Prime Minister poked fun at the confusion around climate change. Surprisingly, it’s still relevant today. In the clip, politicians talk about climate change not because they understand or care, but because it looks good in public. It’s funny, but also a bit uncomfortable, especially when you realise how little has changed.
To help cut through the confusion, we’re sharing some common myths with clear explanations of the facts, along with ideas of what small businesses can realistically do to help. Because the truth is, the UK has committed to cutting carbon emissions by 68% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.1 That means every business, big or small, has a role to play.
If you’ve ever talked about climate change, or scrolled online, you’ve probably noticed the same doubts and questions cropping up repeatedly. They often sound reasonable, but many are based on misunderstanding or old information.
So, instead of simply sharing the science, we’ve decided to tackle ten common myths head on. Each comes with a clear science-backed explanation, nothing too heavy, just enough to help make sense of it all.
It’s true that the Earth’s climate has changed naturally over its 4.5 billion year history. Ice ages, warmer periods, volcanic eruptions, and small changes in the Earth’s orbit have all played a part.
But today’s changes are different. It’s not just that the climate is changing – it’s how fast it’s happening.
Natural climate shifts usually take thousands or millions of years. But scientists worldwide, including NASA and the IPCC, 2 agree the rapid warming we see now cannot be explained by natural causes alone. NASA’s data shows this spike began around the Industrial Revolution in the mid-1800s – right when humans began burning lots of fossil fuels.
The UK’s summer of 2024 was the coolest since 2015, so it’s understandable to wonder whether climate change is real. But weather and climate are different things.
Weather is short-term (the wind, rain, sunshine, or snow over a few hours or days). Climate is the bigger picture, the long-term average of weather over decades or centuries. So, a cool summer doesn’t mean the planet isn’t warming.
In fact, climate change can cause more extreme cold in some places by disrupting wind patterns like the jet stream and polar vortex. That’s why we still get freezing conditions – but overall, the planet is heating up.
This warming will lead to more extreme and unpredictable weather. Heatwaves, floods, droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, and heavy snow will become more common. 3 In the UK, we’re likely to see more rain and storms – but, in 2022, we also recorded our first ever temperature above 40°c.
It may not seem like a big jump, and on a weather forecast, we’d hardly notice a 1.5°c change. But a 1.5°c rise in the average global temperature has serious consequences.
Scientists say an increase of 1.5°c is our tipping point. 4 If temperatures go beyond that to 2°c or more, the risks increase:
Read the IPCC special report: Global Warming of 1.5°c
That’s why almost 200 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, aiming to keep global warming to well below 2°c, and ideally 1.5°c, compared to pre-industrial levels. Every fraction of a degree counts. The higher it goes, the worse the impacts like floods, wildfires, droughts, rising sea levels, and stress on nature.
Around 97% of climate scientists agree that humans are the main cause of the current warming. This consensus comes from thousands of peer-reviewed studies and global surveys of climate experts.
The IPCC says there’s unequivocal evidence that the Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate and that human activity is the main cause.
Since the 1950’s, most of the warming has come from burning coal, oil, and gas which release greenhouse gases like CO2 into the atmosphere. These gases act like a blanket, trapping heat around the planet and disrupting natural climate systems.
We can see this from ice cores, tree rings, ocean sediments, and temperature records. All show that CO2 levels are higher now than they’ve been in at least 2 million years.
Adaptation is part of how we can deal with climate change. But there are limits. Some communities are improving infrastructure, changing farming practices, and protecting coastlines.
But not everyone has the resources to adapt, and extreme heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and rising seas can eventually overwhelm even the best systems. For some places, like low-lying islands, living there may become impossible. Many poorer countries are already struggling with the costs of adapting.
Nature will struggle too. Some species can move or evolve, but many can’t keep up with how fast the climate is changing. While plants do need CO2, we’ve added too much. Forests and oceans can only absorb so much carbon, and deforestation reduces this natural help.
Scientists agree – the more we reduce emissions now, the less we’ll have to adapt in the future. Waiting too long will mean more damage and fewer options.
Watch this IPCC video on adaptation
Human-driven climate change has been going on for over 200 years and Western countries like the UK have played a big part.
It’s easy to blame big emitters like China today, but many products we buy are made abroad so part of our carbon footprint happens elsewhere.
China individually emits the most overall currently but, per person, its emissions are lower than the USA and Russia. China is also investing heavily in renewable energy to cut pollution and meet energy needs.
Climate change is a global issue. No one country can solve it alone. Every country, including the UK, has a part to play.
UN Emissions Gap Report 2024 [Source: Statista]:
From March to July 2025, parts of England saw their driest spell in over a century. 5 July 2025 was also the joint fifth warmest on record for England since 1884. This hot, dry weather makes wildfires more likely.
In the UK’s Peak District National Park, Operation FireWatch has been set up to help spot open fires before they turn into wildfires. In the western USA, the area burned by wildfires has tripled since the mid-1980’s. Globally, wildfire seasons are now longer, and the impacts are severe. They harm people, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Smoke also pollutes the air, water, and food supplies.
Scientists link these trends to climate change. Warmer, drier conditions mean vegetation is parched, making fires easer to spread. Even if a fire begins through human or natural causes, climate change is making it easier for those fires to burn longer, faster, and over a wider area.
It’s true the UK isn’t known for sunshine. But renewables already power a large part of the UK’s energy. December 2023 marked 15 months in a row where zero-carbon energy produced more than fossil fuel generation. 6
The UK has the second largest number of offshore wind farms worldwide. Wind power works even on cloudy days and solar panels generate energy from daylight, not just sun.
Costs for renewable energy have fallen dramatically too. Solar energy prices have roughly halved since 2010, and wind power is around 60% cheaper, 7 making them the cheapest way to generate electricity in the UK.
Claims like “wind turbines cause cancer and kill birds” are myths. Bird deaths from turbines are far fewer than those caused by buildings, traffic or cats – you can read more here.
In 2024 alone, global investment in green energy reached $2trillion. And, with gas prices so volatile, renewable energy helps tackle the cost of living and cuts carbon at the same time. With advances in battery storage and managing demand at peak times, we can rely on clean energy even on grey days.
There may be a lot of debate in the media, but scientists overwhelmingly agree on climate change. Multiple independent studies show around 97% consensus, and a 2021 review of peer-reviewed research found over 99% agreement that humans are causing climate change.
This is the result of decades of research, data, and testing by thousands of scientists worldwide. The IPCC’s 2023 Synthesis report says that human activities have ‘unequivocally caused global warming’. 8
Political disagreement may exist on the best ways to tackle climate change, but the science on causes is settled. Media confusion often comes from misinformation, cherry-picked data, or deliberate attempts to create doubt.
It’s easy to feel like the problem is too big or past fixing. But science says the window for action is closing, not shut. We still have time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change if we act now.
The IPCC has shown that cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 could keep global temperature rise to around 1.5°c. It’s tough, but still possible.
Acting on climate change brings benefits beyond just cutting carbon. It will help with cleaner air, better energy security, lower bills, and protecting wildlife. And we’ve already shown what can be done. The UK halved domestic greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2022, while still growing the economy. 9
Around the world, renewable energy is booming and new solutions to the climate crisis are being found. The choices we make today will determine the climate we’ll experience in the future.
With some of the most common myths cleared up, the next big question is what climate change could mean for your business:
1. Risks and rising costs
Extreme weather, energy price hikes, supply chain disruption, and higher insurance premiums can all eat into profit.
2. Changing customer expectations
More people are choosing to buy from ethical, sustainable brands, and avoiding those that don’t act.
3. Evolving regulations
Policies and practices are changing fast, from carbon reporting requirements to eco-criteria in tenders.
4. New opportunities
Switching to renewable energy, improving efficiency, and offering sustainable products can save money, attract new customers, and strengthen your brand.
Our Net Zero Barnsley case studies, showcase real businesses that have saved money, attracted new customers, and reduced their carbon. Delta Adhesives, for example, reduced their energy costs by 70%.
If you’re ready to begin working on reducing carbon emissions in your business, here are some ideas to get you going:
Use one of the free online carbon calculators online (we’ve added a link below the final bullet point) to understand where you stand. Knowing your baseline is the first step to making changes.
Look for ways to reduce energy consumption and minimise waste. This could mean upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, switching to sustainable packaging, or choosing renewable energy suppliers.
Reduce unnecessary journeys wherever possible. Consider switching to electric vehicles or using low-carbon logistics options to reduce transport emissions.
Partner with suppliers who have strong sustainability practices. Building a green business network helps the environment and is good for your reputation and resilience.
Our blog post The power of building a green business network has more practical tips.
Share your sustainability goals and involve your employees in the journey. Talking about your progress with customers can build loyalty in your brand.
There are grants, free advice services, and tools designed to help businesses on the path the net zero.
The Business Climate Hub has links to free carbon calculators, plus information on finance and support across the UK.
Barnsley Council’s website also has information on environmental funding and grants including Net Zero Barnsley.
To learn how Net Zero Barnsley can help you reduce carbon in your business, get in touch with our Business Development Manager, Kevin Steel:
Why ESG Matters for Barnsley Businesses
Met Office: Effects of climate change
Net Zero Barnsley is part of the Low Carbon Project, a project part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and supported and part funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). Sheffield City Council is the lead applicant for the South Yorkshire region. The Low Carbon project has received £1,698,999 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. UKSPF aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, people and their skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
