Climate Change UK

• What is one effect of climate change in the UK?

  Increased temperatures
• By how much is the average summer temperature in southern England projected to increase by 2080?

  3.9°C
• What is the expected increase in rainfall in parts of the western UK?

  16%
• What is the expected decrease in summer rainfall in parts of southern England?

  21%
• What are the expected effects of climate change on droughts in southern England?

  Droughts will be more frequent and intense
• Why will flooding become more common in the UK?

  Due to increased rainfall and sea level rise
• How will climate change affect wildlife habitats in the UK?

  It will change the UK’s habitats
• What is an example of a species that has moved to cooler areas due to climate change?

  The comma butterfly
• By how much is sea level expected to rise by 2095?

  12-26 cm
• What habitat loss is expected due to rising sea levels?

  Loss of saltmarshes
• How could warmer weather affect the UK tourism industry?

  It could boost the tourist industry
• What is a potential negative impact of warmer weather on tourism?

  Decline in skiing in the Cairngorms
• How might agriculture benefit from climate change in the UK?

  Increased productivity of some crops
• What new crops could be grown in southern England due to climate change?

  Soya and grapes
• What challenge might arise from reduced rainfall and droughts in agriculture?

  Increased need for irrigation
• How could extreme weather conditions affect the UK fishing industry?

  Put fishing infrastructure at risk
• How might changing fish populations affect fishermen's livelihoods?

  It could affect their livelihoods
• What health issue may decrease due to climate change?

  Deaths from cold-related illnesses
• What new health issue may arise due to climate change?

  More heat-related illnesses
• How might flooding from climate change affect homes and businesses?

  It might damage them
• Which cities are mentioned as being at risk from flooding?

  Hull, Cardiff, Portsmouth, London
• How will drier summers affect water availability in the UK?

  It will reduce water availability
• In which area of the UK is water availability particularly affected?

  South east England
• What are the environmental impacts of climate change in the UK?

  • Rising temperatures
  • Increased rainfall
  • Decreased summer rainfall
  • More frequent and intense droughts
  • Increased flooding
  • Changes to wildlife habitats
  • Rising sea levels
• What are the economic impacts of climate change in the UK?

  • Potential boost in tourism
  • Possible decline in skiing
  • Increased agricultural productivity
  • New crops for warmer climates
  • Risks to fishing infrastructure
  • Changing fish populations affecting livelihoods
• What are the social impacts of climate change in the UK?

  • Decrease in cold-related illness deaths
  • Increase in heat-related illness cases
  • Flooding damage to homes and businesses
  • Water shortages in densely populated areas
• What is climate change?

  Significant change in Earth's climate over time
• How has the Earth's climate changed over time?

  It constantly changes and evolves
• What is the Quaternary period?

  Most recent geological time period
• How long ago did the Quaternary period begin?

  About 2.6 million years ago
• What characterized the climate before the Quaternary period?

  The Earth's climate was relatively stable
• What are the two types of periods during the Quaternary?

  Cold glacial and warmer interglacial periods
• How long do glacial periods last during the Quaternary?

  Around 100,000 years
• How long do interglacial periods last during the Quaternary?

  Around 10,000 years
• When did the last glacial period end?

  Around 15,000 years ago
• What does global warming refer to?

  Sharp rise in global temperatures last century
• What sources provide evidence for climate change?

  Ice cores, diaries, paintings, sea ice positions, temperature data
• How do ice cores provide evidence for climate change?

  • Layers of ice form annually
  • Scientists drill to obtain ice cores
  • Analyze trapped gases for historical temperatures
  • Detailed data over 400,000 years
• What do historical diaries reveal about past climates?

  They show rainfall, snow days, and harvest dates
• Why are diaries and paintings considered unreliable for climate data?

  They reflect individual viewpoints, not comprehensive data