The information presented here is gathered from a wide range of published international sources and includes work done by scientists funded by the UK's Natural Environment Research Council, the Meteorological Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The study of climate change is both an international and an interdisciplinary effort in which co-operation is essential if we are to understand the drivers and processes of climate change. Methane levels in the atmosphere have doubled over the last 100 years. Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide levels are rising mainly as a result of human activities connected with energy generation, transport and agriculture. Although increases in greenhouse gases result in warming, this is offset to some extent by other factors such as tiny particles in the atmosphere.
Examples are sulphates resulting from industrial activities, or dust from volcanic eruptions.
These can reflect sunlight and produce a cooling effect. Five of the six warmest years in Central England's 340 year old temperature record have occurred since 1989. Global sea level has risen by between 10 and 25 cm over the past 100 years. The oceans are particularly important in controlling when and where climate change occurs for two reasons. They act as giant heat reservoirs and redistribute heat globally via their circulation patterns.