DEFRA produce first report on UK climate change impact

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has produced the first report as part of the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment. This report is the first in a five year cycle and outlines the possible positive and negative impacts on the UK as a result of a changing climate.

The 2,000 page document is the result of three years' research and study into the possible impacts on 11 key areas, which include agriculture, transport and flooding. Some of the possible negative effects include:

• increased damage from flooding by 2080, costing between £2.1bn - £12bn;
• loss of some species of animals and plants;
• between 580-5900 deaths above the average because of hotter summers by 2050;
• water shortages in the north, south and east of England by 2080;
• increased energy demands for cooling.

However, the report also outlines some possible positive effects which include:

• shorter shipping routes because of the melting of Arctic sea ice;
• milder winters leading to fewer premature deaths by 2050;
• wheat yield increases by 40-140% because of longer growing seasons by 2050.

However, the summary of the key findings states that, "Uncertainty remains over the magnitude and timing of climate change impacts, especially at regional and local levels. This is due to the limitations in our ability to model the climate system, biophysical impacts and the social and economic responses to changes in climate."

Despite this, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman believes the report, "shows what life could be like if we stopped our preparations now, and the consequences such a decision would mean for our economic stability."

For more information, see:

• a summary of the key findings of the assessment: http://cedr.ec/2c;
• Climate Change Act 2008;
• Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.