The current UK heatwave and water shortages highlight the need for Government to redouble its efforts to address the risk from climate change, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says.



The high temperatures and lack of rain in the UK are an example of increasing risks from climate change that the CCC highlighted to Government two years ago. The Committee’s 2016 report on UK climate risk concluded that more action is needed to address the growing threat to health and wellbeing from high temperatures, and shortages in water supplies for people, agriculture, industry and the natural environment.

In many parts of the country, the persistent 2018 heatwave is re-intensifying this week, with temperatures and lack of rain expected to exceed the already record-breaking levels we have seen this summer. Simultaneously, extreme weather events are also affecting large parts of the northern hemisphere.

These weather conditions are associated with a particularly weak and displaced jet stream, leading to a stable high pressure system lingering over the UK, and the very warm and dry conditions experienced over recent weeks.

Whilst the sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic that may help drive such conditions are similar to those associated with the hot and dry UK summer of 1976, the last four decades have seen substantial human-induced global warming. This has contributed significantly to the increasing probability and severity of heatwaves. As the planet continues to warm, similar heatwaves are likely to occur with greater frequency.

Kathryn Brown, Head of Adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change, said: “We know that the risk of heatwaves and higher average temperatures is increasing as the climate changes. Our 2016 report showed that, without further action, the number of heat-related deaths could increase from 2,000 per year today to 7,000 in the 2050s due to climate change and population growth. Water shortages are also a concern: we can expect greater water deficits across the country, including in cooler wetter areas like the north-west of England. The area of land well suited to the production of water-intensive crops, such as rain-fed potatoes, could decline by over 80% by the 2050s. Action is needed to cool our homes: new build properties need shading and improved ventilation, as do hospitals. And we need to reverse the decline in urban green spaces that occurred between 2001 and 2016. We will be monitoring progress and reporting our findings to Parliament over the coming year.”

Let’s face it, if we are to rely on the MP’s of Any party to sort this out, we are in deep trouble.

FIX LEAKS

Stop Closing Storage Facilities

First decent summer since 1976 and the professional whingers (sucking on the public teat) are out in force. There's lots of money in doomsday scenarios - even when most of their models have proven to be wrong.

Originally Posted by dav

First decent summer since 1976 and the professional whingers (sucking on the public teat) are out in force. There's lots of money in doomsday scenarios - even when most of their models have proven to be wrong.

Climate change IS a reality you idiot.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Climate change IS a reality you idiot.

Dear Ass22, Climate has always changed. It's cyclical. There were vineyards in Yorkshire during the Middle Ages.

Originally Posted by dav

First decent summer since 1976 and the professional whingers (sucking on the public teat) are out in force. There's lots of money in doomsday scenarios - even when most of their models have proven to be wrong.

You mean "every model save those sponsored by the oil industry has proven climate change real"

Originally Posted by dav

Dear Ass22, Climate has always changed. It's cyclical. There were vineyards in Yorkshire during the Middle Ages.

Correct but the cycles are becoming more extreme

It was only a matter of time till the Climate change tree hugging Muppets started on about the weather, for heaven’s sake get on with life and stop banging on about the so called climate change, It’s something the governments around the world have invented to extract hard earned cash from us

Hahaha that old chestnut, I remember them calling it global warming until we had 2 winters of Minus 14 and then they changed the name to climate change,
Granted there are reasons for every weather event but lets face facts no matter what we do change will happen but if the government have their say it means we can pay more tax for the privelage, I also remember when all the so called experts were telling us to change to diesel because it was better for the environment, now look they want to be rid all diesel cars,

I know lets go electric mmm How are we going to meet demand ,,,, Tax stealth tax all over