The purpose of this paper is not to dwell upon the causes of climate change; the scientific principles are now well researched. The strong suspicion is that the climate change that will be experienced by the next two generations is primarily the result of the emissions released by the last two generations. Therefore the local challenge is to help Dorset to adapt to the predicted and the inevitable whilst simultaneously promoting initiatives that will reduce our greenhouse emissions.

The paper is presented in the following pages, it is also available as a pdf document that can be printed.

• Section 1 Introduction and background

  The purpose of this paper is not to dwell upon the causes of climate change; the scientific principles are now well researched. The local challenge is to help Dorset to adapt to climate change whilst simultaneously promoting initiatives that will reduce our greenhouse emissions.

• Section 2 - Goals and Policies

  There are international, national and local goals for Carbon Dioxide, Coastal Protection, Flooding and Sea Level Rise.

• Section 3 - Climate Change Implications for Dorset 'time and tide'

  This section concentrates on the likely impacts in Dorset and where a review of procedures and behaviour is required.

• Section 4 - Case studies and local exemplars

  Several local organisations are taking practical steps in response to the issue of climate change. However it will become apparent that adaptations and mitigation ideas are often mixed when practical 'day to day' applications are devised.

• Section 5 - Dorset Coast Forum members views

  These are the responses of Dorset Coast Forum members to a questionnaire on the subject of climate change.

• Section 6 - Low key mitigation possibilities

  This outlines a number of ways in which small changes in peoples behaviour and lifestyles can have an impact.

• Section 7 - Conclusions

  In terms of proactive work and advancing adaptation and mitigation procedures, there is clearly still a need to engage with the business community and the general public to a greater degree.