A new report from the Met Office makes for scary reading; they reckon that catastrophic climate change could happen far faster than previously predicted. They predict droughts, sea level rises and the collapse of important eco-systems by 2060.
The study looks at specific problems for Britain, such as water shortages in the South East, die back of tree species like beech in the south of the country and the need to build coastal defences. Britain's temperature would rise by the average 7.2F (4C) which would mean Mediterranean summers and an extended growing season for new crops like olives, vines and apricots. However deaths from heat waves will increase, droughts and floods would become more common, diseases like malaria may spread to Britain and climate change refugees from across the world are likely to head to the country. The scientists involved are calling for urgent action and an international agreement at Copenhagen but are pessimistic about keeping rises below 2°C.To read more
Monday, 28 September 2009 22:32 | 
Written by Sue James | 
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