The road to Copenhagen
Dr Vicky Pope on YouTube
Dr Vicky Pope talks about the conference and the science behind it.
Download the transcript (PDF, 94 kB)
In December 2009 the world’s governments will try to reach a binding agreement on how we can all act together to reduce the impacts of climate change.
The annual United Nations climate conference will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the aim of negotiating an agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol when it expires in 2012.
Climate change experts from the Met Office will be playing a key role in the conference.
The conference will be attended by ministers and officials from 192 countries and representatives from numerous organisations, and will last two weeks, from 7 to 18 December.
The many aspects of climate science and climate change they will be discussing include the following topics.
Warming could push Greenland ice sheet beyond ‘tipping points’
Scientific research has shown that if global temperatures rise unchecked, then the Greenland ice sheet could melt completely over a few thousand years — pushing up global sea levels by up to seven metres.
Global temperature slowdown — not an end to climate change
After three decades of warming caused by man-made greenhouse gas emissions, why would there suddenly be a period of relative temperature stability — despite more greenhouse gases being emitted than ever before?
Helping the UK avoid dangerous climate change
Our scientists are leading a Government initiative — known as AVOID — to further improve the knowledge of our ministers and government officials.
Carbon offsetting
Dr Vicky Pope explains why carbon offsetting could give a false sense of security that we are tackling climate change and, although useful, is no substitute for directly reducing carbon emissions.
Deforestation
Met Office climate change impacts expert Dr Richard Betts examines the issue of deforestation and climate change.
The risks of geoengineering
Geoengineering schemes include placing mirrors in space or putting particles in our atmosphere to reflect more of the Sun's rays. But, research by the Met Office shows relying on these methods instead of reducing carbon emissions is no easy solution.
What science tells us about future temperature rises
Climate projections from the Met Office Hadley Centre show just how challenging meeting climate change targets will be.
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