In the South EastIn the UKFor the WorldIn the South EastEveryone knows the affects of hot dry summers.Although this may viewed as a step towards the favourable Mediterranean climate, that unfortunately is not the case.We can expect more droughts and hosepipe bans in the summer. Water bills will increase. Electricity bills are set to rise as the demand for energy for air conditioning increases.Winter rainfall is increasingly heavy causing more flooding in low-lying areas. This means some householders will feel the strain of a rise in household insurance premiums.Native species could be faced with hard times as conditions required for their survival are not being met at the right times of the year. Both plants and animals will be affected.In the UKThe evidence for climate change in the UK comes from weather records extending back over 350 years. From these, it's clear that the 1990s were the warmest decade in central England since records began in the 1660s. So farCoastal waters have warmed, changing the distribution of important commercial fish species and other marine animals.The growing season for plants in central England is now a month longer than it was in 1900. Summer heat waves are occurring more frequently, and in winter there are fewer frosts. Compared with 50 years ago, we now get more rain and snow, and on fewer days – so they are even heavier. Average sea level around the UK is now about 10cm higher than it was in 1900. What next?The effects will be far reaching and affect many aspects of our lives. These include drastic changes to the following key areas:
Floods and coastal defence
Water supply
Agriculture
Forestry
Ecology
Cultural heritage, leisure and tourism
Insurance industry
Economic sectors
All of these areas will have to adapt to the challenge of climate change. The changes will not be straightforward to predict or to react to.For the WorldAlthough there is disagreement on the scale or speed of changes, everyone is agreed that the world will be a different place with climate change.Arguably, we are already seeing some of the worldwide effects of climate change. Approximately 25,000 people died in Western Europe when it was hit by a heat wave in 2003. Most victims were in vulnerable categories, the elderly, the sick or the young. Agricultural losses have also been estimated at over £4 billion.In 2005, The USA experienced a devastating hurricane season. The season began early and an unprecedented 4 storms were classed as category 5, the most powerful of storms. Despite the amount of new forecasting technology and safety measures in place, over 1900 people died and over $100 billion of damage was caused.Climate change globally would mean an increase in extreme weather events, rising sea levels and changes in rainfall patterns. Some low lying and river flood plain areas would be submerged, others would experience droughts like never before. Famine and disease would increase. The poorest people and areas in the world would initially be the most seriously affected as already fragile crops would fail. Disease would spread as species such as the mosquito travel further a field bringing malaria with them.Mass extinctions would result in areas where the conditions change a great deal; tropical forests would be particularly vulnerable.In short, life will become very difficult, as every aspect will be affected from business to transport to agriculture.For more on the impacts of climate changeClimate challangeUK Climate Impacts ProgrammeGraphical Version l
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