Climate risk to South China is real

The frequency of extreme weather events is also expected to increase - including heat waves, and flooding from the increased number of storms and typhoons over South China.

Aside from these, climate change will cause real health risks. Zheng Guoguang, head of the China Meteorological Administration, warned earlier this year that the rise in temperature in China was already twice as fast as the global average. And, as the temperature rises further, the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria will become commonplace in more areas.

In terms of economic cost, the Guangdong civil affairs bureau announced in 2013 that the cost of dealing with the consequences of climate change was 49 billion yuan ($7.63 billion). Businesses in China face huge financial risks if climate change goes unchecked. Even in a scenario of a 2°C increase in temperature, adaptation efforts will cost billions of yuan.

The last thing I want to do is to spread unnecessary fear. We can act, we can contribute to cutting emissions, and we can slow the impacts of the changing climate.

The British consulate-general is working with provincial governments, businesses and civil society groups across the southern region of China to step up joint efforts. Although we are doing things at a government-to-government level, we can all make changes at the individual level as well.

We can change our behavior on the use of cars and revert to public transport or our bicycles. We can use and waste less water - why can't we stop watering the pavements every morning in Huacheng Square in Zhujiang New Town in Guangzhou?

We can use less energy and be more efficient when we are using it - why not turn off the lights at home if you aren't in the room?

Climate change is a global problem that will affect us all. With each of us making small changes, we can kick-start a green revolution. Governments of course have a role to play. But as citizens and as consumers we, too, can make important contributions. We can change our behavior now to help tackle this problem head on.

The author is British Consul-General in Guangzhou.

(China Daily 12/12/2015 page5)