Sobering projections of region's temperature
Jun 25 2009 by Anna Blackaby, Birmingham Post
The West Midlands could face an increase in average summer temperature of more than three degrees according to sobering new government-funded research.
The scientific projections launched by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn provide the most detailed picture to date of the threat facing Britain from soaring summer temperatures, more extreme weather and rising sea levels.
The research is divided into a range of climate change predictions up until the end of the century based on three possible greenhouse gas emissions pathways – high, medium and low.
Based on the medium emissions pathway, the West Midlands could face an increase in average summer temperatures with a central estimate of 3.7 degrees.
The region could also have 11 per cent less rainfall in the summer by 2040, leading to subsidence, lower crop yields and water stress.
However, by 2080 there could be 18 per cent more rainfall in the winter leading to increased winter flooding, transport disruption and risks to urban drainage. Rainfall on the wettest day of the year could increase by up to 30 per cent.
Broadly speaking, the world’s emissions are currently equivalent to the medium pathway although there is a risk we could still be heading for the even high scenario.
Environment Secretary Mr Benn said: “There is no doubt about it – climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world today. Climate change is already happening – the hottest ten years on record globally have all been since 1990. This landmark scientific evidence shows not only that we need to tackle the causes of climate change but also that we must deal with the consequences.
“The projections will allow us to make sure we have a resilient infrastructure to cope – whether it’s the design of school buildings or protection of new power plants, maintaining the supply of drinking water, adjusting ways of farming for drier summers or understanding how our homes and businesses will have to adapt.”
Friends of the Earth’s West Midlands regional campaigns coordinator Chris Crean called the report “an important wake-up call”. He said: “Climate change will have a major impact on the UK and here in the West Midlands. This will be devastating if the world fails to move rapidly towards a low-carbon future. The UK government must show real global leadership ahead of December’s crucial UN climate summit by agreeing to cut our emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020 – without any offsetting – and ensuring that tackling global warming is at the heart of every policy. Local councils from across our region have a key role to play too – this means rapidly cutting their emissions, as well as action to adapt to the impacts that are warned of in this stark report. Investing in solutions such as cutting energy waste and developing renewable power will also create tens of thousands of new green jobs, end fuel poverty and help create a cleaner, safer future for us all.”
