TEMPERATURES in Royston are reflecting the global warming phenomenon says a weather expert. Richard Barker, from the Royston Weather Station, said: This is a worry. As far as our climate goes, temperatures have definitely increased over the last 34 years

TEMPERATURES in Royston are reflecting the global warming phenomenon says a weather expert.

Richard Barker, from the Royston Weather Station, said: "This is a worry. As far as our climate goes, temperatures have definitely increased over the last 34 years.

"If the phenomenon of global warming really does exist then this provides evidence that Royston temperatures are reflecting this trend."

Scientists say sea levels could rise, glaciers could melt, 40 per cent of the world's wildlife could be killed off, and large-scale droughts could create hundreds of millions of "climate refugees".

They expect the global temperatures to rise by as much as 6C before the end of the century.

The main reason is said to be the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are sent into the atmosphere.

Mr Barker said: "The problem with present research and recommended courses of action is that it concentrates on effects rather than causes.

"At present, too many people are chasing too few resources, the destruction of the Amazon rain forest being a prime example of this.

"Less forest means less capacity for the planet to absorb carbon emissions, increasing the threat of global warming."

Royston is starting to see the effects of such changes and in recent years has suffered dry spells in the 1990s, and again between 2004-06.

The south Cambs streams also dry up periodically.

A further indication of the milder conditions is the lack of any prolonged severe winter weather since February 1991, when the last major snowfall occurred.

Although a number of strong, but relatively brief, cold spells were seen during the 1980s, the last severe winter overall was in 1979.

Mr Barker added: "It is clear that we humans must minimise air pollution as much as possible whether or not it is the cause of present climate change.

"After all we only have a narrow envelope of air around the earth and this needs to be as clean as possible for human and animal health.

"We must act sooner rather than later."

WHAT WE CAN DO

- Turn off all appliances when not in use. By switching off your TV you could prevent 30kg of carbon pollution in a single year.

- Boil only the water you need in your kettle. Every cup boiled is 25 cups of carbon.

- Walk or cycle short journeys. You save 2kg carbon for every three miles you walk instead of using the car. One year's driving is worth 500kg carbon.

- Recycle. About 80 per cent of what the average household throws out can be recycled.

- Put a jumper on and turn down your heating thermostat by 1C. In an average winter this will save 250kg carbon.

- Use a washing line instead of a dryer. This will save 1.5kg carbon per load.