What's happening?

ExtremeVery great, or beyond what is expected. weather in Greece. Ice the size of the UK missing from the Antarctic. We can all see and feel the results of climate changeLong-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Human action is a major cause of climate change..

Today, experts around the world agree we need to cut carbon emissionsWhen a gas is let off from something, like a car, it is an emission. Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. to stop global warmingThe Earth is getting hotter due to climate change..

Some were surprised when the UK's prime ministerA prime minister is the head of government in a country with a parliamentary system.  Rishi Sunak announced new plans - plans that mean the UK may not reach its climate target of net zeroWhen the gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by those being taken out of it. emissions by 2050.

The plans include pushing back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars. It was supposed to happen in 2030.

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One hundred and forty countries have pledged to reach net zero, many of them by 2050. This should cover around 90% of global emissions. But whilst lots of promises have been made, some say there is not enough action.

Some think Sunak is simply doing the right thing for British people. Some of the world's biggest emitters have not done much to reach their targets. Why should British people pay the cost of climate goals if others will not?

The British economyThe way that money flows through a country, which affects wages and the cost of living. is struggling. Some think British people would rather focus on money worries now than think about climate issues which may only affect us in future years.

But others point out that many countries are trying to meet their targets. The European UnionA political and economic union of 27 countries. and USAThe United States of America is a country in North America. It has a population of 329 million. have just announced new climate plans.

Yes! Rishi Sunak wants to win the next electionA vote in which someone is chosen to represent a group of people. , so he would not do anything that he thinks British people would not want. He must think that British people care more about the economy than about the planet.

No! It is clear that lots of people are very angry about this - including many in Rishi Sunak's own party! The British people care about the planet a lot. They want to save it.