| Our climate is changing. Current predictions suggest that the Earth’s average temperature will rise by 1.4 – 5.8 ºC by the end of the century. This will result in hotter, drier summers, and wetter, warmer winters in the UK. There is a consensus amongst scientists that this change is due to our activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The effects
This dramatic climate change, combined with natural movements of the earth’s crust, is causing sea level to rise. Scientists predict that as the sea level rises, there will be an increase in storm surges and an inevitable increase in the risk of flooding. The consequences of flooding will become greater as pressure to build on floodplains of estuaries and rivers continues.
Our coasts, our future
Our existing sea defences are not going to be able to keep the sea at bay indefinitely.
How long can we keep building up our defences against the tides? Some of the most important habitats around our estuaries and coasts are being squeezed against our sea defences as sea levels rise, which is resulting in the loss of these vital habitats and wildlife communities. So what is the solution?
Am I at risk from flooding?
Find out from the Environment Agency
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood
Find out more about global warming
Tomorrow's Climate, Today's Challenge
A government-led climate change communication initiative.
www.climatechallenge.gov.uk
Stop climate chaos
Act against climate change with this coalition of social and environmental groups.
www.stopclimatechaos.org
UK CIP
Access information on how climate change will affect the UK and the Humber region.
www.ukcip.org.uk The Tyndall Centre
Get the latest research, including from the UK’s leading authority on climate change and its consequences.
www.tyndall.ac.uk BBC Climate Change
Be a part of a giant online project to predict climate change.
www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange
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