Climate Change

What is Climate Change?

As defined by the United Nations, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun's heat and raising temperatures. This is changing the world as we know it, destroying habitats, threatening the extinction of whole species and shaping our experience of life on earth in profound ways.

The impact of climate change is not felt equally. Extreme weather events, natural disasters, greater prevalence of diseases, rising sea levels and shrinking glaciers are impacting the world's most vulnerable people and ecosystems most. 

Climate change is a global issue, requiring global solutions. As a global university we are developing solutions to address the greatest challenges that we face. We are committed to tackling climate change by understanding our own institutional greenhouse gas emissions and acting to reduce them. The development of our net zero plan will provide a route map to achieving net zero emissions.

Climate Change - The facts

• International Governmental Panel on Climate Change Library
• United Nations - Climate Change
• Global Climate Change - NASA

Learn more and get involved

In 2024 we are launching a Climate Advocacy Training course. The course will introduce all our students, staff and alumni to the fundamentals of climate change while empowering them to know what they can do to tackle it and how they can mitigate its impacts.

Get involved

Complete the form to enquire about training, events and how to get involved in the sustainability activities.