The facts about climate change are rather stark. They are affecting everyone now, and will affect coming generations much more.

There may be uncertainties about future impacts but there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that global warming is taking place and that human-induced increases in greenhouse gases are behind much of this. Indeed recent scientific evidence suggests that the impacts may be stronger and quicker than we first thought.

All 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1994. The rate of sea level rise has doubled over the last 150 years. Melting of the permafrost in the Arctic could lead to the release of huge quantities of methane. Depletion of the Amazonion rainforest could turn that region into an emitter rather than an absorber, of green house gases. There is likely to be major water shortages, especially when dry season water supplies come from melting snow and glaciers. Continental areas, such as Turkmenistan, are likely to suffer above average increases in temperature. Major climatic systems such as the Indian monsoon or the Gulf Stream, could be affected.

Most scientists agree that human activities are a major factor in this warming, particularly the increase in average global temperatures observed since the middle of the 20th century. This is the conclusion of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international organization of hundreds of the world's top climate scientists. The IPCC projects average global temperatures will continue to rise by from 1.4ºC to as much as 5.8ºC during this century.

As the average temperature rises, it will lead to more and more changes around the world. The warmer it gets, the more dramatic and disruptive other changes in climate are likely to be.

But not many people in the street know exactly what climate change is and why it is important for everyone in the world.  It is for that reason that the British Embassy regularly carries out activities aimed at raising the public’s awareness of pressing climate change issues, including presentations and meetings with specialists, as well as quizzes and competitions in local schools.

A highlight event of the recent years in the area of climate change awareness was an outdoor exhibition at a central market in Ashgabat in 2006. It provided an opportunity for passers-by, on their way to work or market, to get acquainted with facts on the causes and effects of global warming. The exhibition was an eloquent testimony to the way that climate has changed since the industrial revolution first began in the 18th century to transform the world.

As recent as in April 2008, the British Ambassador to Turkmenistan delivered a keynote speech at a conference, organised by the US Embassy in Ashgabat and dedicated to environmental issues. The need for all countries to take action to tackle climate change was the key theme of his speech.

In May 2008, the Embassy organised a Road Show in Turkmenabat of Lebap Welayat on the theme of climate change, which featured the British Ambassador’s lecture for students and professors of Turkmen Pedagogical Institute, as well as an exhibition and a quiz.

The Embassy's Road Shows, as well as many other activities will continue to highlight the need for all people and all countries to take active stance in tackling the global problem of climate change.