COVID-19 information News and events BGS Shop Hosted sites About BGS Research Data Discovering Geology Home » Discovering Geology » Climate change » What are we doing about climate change? Discovering Geology — Climate change Share this article BGS is committed to research that will help produce innovative solutions aimed at slowing down the effects of a rapidly changing climate, whilst helping society to become resilient and adapt to climate change. Research areas How can we reduce our carbon emissions through better use of our energy resources? How can geoscience help society to adapt and become more resilient to environmental change? How can we adapt and become more resilient to hazardous processes, such as landslides and flooding, which affect people and property? Better use of energy resources Reducing and removing CO2 from power production, heat, transport and industry, also known as decarbonisation, is a major challenge for society. The BGS is investigating the feasibility of different technologies for decarbonisation and how society better manages natural resources. Our research is split into several areas: geo-disposal: disposal of radioactive waste, and carbon capture and storage energy storage: innovative use of the underground to store energy such as compressed air clean power: shallow and deep geothermal sources and the offshore siting of wind farms and tidal barrages metals and materials: understanding the resources needed for a low carbon world Find out more about our research Energy Geothermal energy The term ‘geothermal energy’ refers to any heat derived from the ground, from depths of a few metres to multiple kilometres beneath the earth surface. Show more Energy Energy storage BGS has a sustained track record of energy storage research, which will underpin future laboratory, field and GIS-based activities and commissions. Show more Carbon capture and storage The BGS is recognised as a European centre of excellence for the study of carbon dioxide storage. We have a dedicated team active in a number of research areas. Show more Mining and minerals Mineral resource security and flows We comprehensively monitor mineral production, trade flows and other relevant statistics within the UK to respond to the economy’s demand for raw materials. Show more You may also be interested in Discovering Geology Discovering Geology introduces a range of geoscience topics to school-age students and learners of all ages. Show more Climate change Climate is the pattern of weather of an area averaged over many years. We can only show whether climate change has occurred after decades of careful measurements and analysis. Show more What causes the Earth’s climate to change? Geological records demonstrate that there have been a number of large variations in Earth’s climate in the past. Show more Impacts of climate change Temperature rises can affect agriculture, sea levels and the frequency of extreme weather incidents. We can study past climate change by looking at the evidence in rocks, fossils and changes in the landscape. Show more The carbon story The carbon cycle describes the process in which carbon atoms continually travel from the atmosphere into the Earth, then released back into the atmosphere. Show more The greenhouse effect Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere act as an insulating blanket around the planet, trapping more of the Sun’s heat. Show more Understanding carbon capture and storage Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide at emission sources, such as power stations, then transporting and storing it underground. Show more Was this page helpful? Yes No Cookies policy We’ll assume you’re okay with this, but you can opt out if you wish. More information. Accept Remind me later Useful links About BGS News and events Contact us Press office Job vacancies Accessibility Sustainability COP26 Policies & legal Privacy policy Cookies policy Terms of use Freedom of information (FOI) Intellectual property rights Join the BGS Newsletter Keep up to date with all the latest research, products and events news. Register © UKRI 2021 What are we doing about climate change?