Heat is on, The

Synopsis

Discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica in 1984 dramatically changed scientific, public and political opinion because it showed that society was causing significant changes to the atmosphere. The shock galvanized the debate about global warming, one that had gone on for decades without generating much interest. The earth is warming up, but how much? And how do we make policies when we do not know? This film focuses on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conference, held in Geneva in November 1990 and the Berlin Conference in 1995 where the Climate Convention was discussed. There is a broad scientific consensus that global warming is happening, but greater uncertainties remain. Precautionary action seems to be needed, and sooner rather than later. The activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations are, however, so central to advanced industrial societies, that international bodies appear to be unable mount an adequate response to the dangers.

Series

Environment, Course U206

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1996

Availability

Off-air recording licence

Subjects

Environmental science

Keywords

atmosphere; climate change; greenhouse gases; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; ozone layer

Credits

Producer

Eleanor Morris

Cast

Susan Rae

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk