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UK assesses the nation’s coming dangers from climate change

UK ranks top risks posed by climate change, SMH, David Stringer, January 27, 2012  Coastlines, working patterns and even the country’s most famous meal are under threat from climate change, Britain says in its first-ever national assessment of the likely risks.

The £2.8 million ($4.2 million) study sets out the most pressing
problems expected to affect the United Kingdom as a result of climate
change, from rising sea levels to more frequent summer droughts.

In a gloomy forecast for Britain’s environment department, a panel of
independent analysts predicted as many as 5900 more people could die
as a result of hotter summers – but also claimed there will be a sharp
reduction in deaths due to cold weather by the 2050s.

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Infrastructure and businesses will be badly affected by more frequent
floods, with the cost of damage likely to rise from £1.3 billion to as
much as £12 billion by the 2080s, if adequate preparations aren’t
taken.

By the 2050s, between 27 million and 59 million people in Britain are
likely to be living in areas suffering problems with water supplies,
the report claims. Britain is predicted to have a population of about
77 million by 2050.

Beaches and historic coastlines are likely to be reshaped by coastal
erosion, with the rate expected to increase fourfold, the report said.
“This might have significant implications for communities and
habitats,” it said……
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/uk-ranks-top-risks-posed-by-climate-change-20120127-1qk4p.html#ixzz1kyeP7SJs

January 29, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | climate change, UK