Leicestershire

Climate Change (East Midlands)

Website:http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/midlands/835324/835524/1136064/1244001/?version=1&lang=_e

Found in category: Leicestershire general information

from the environment agencies website:

Potential impacts of climate change in the East Midlands

In 2000, the East Midlands Sustainable Development Round Table (emsdOt ) produced a report into the potential impacts of climate change in the East Midlands. It identified a wide range of potential impacts on people and the environment in the region.

At a glance:

• We will experience more extreme events such as hot summers, intense rainfall in winter, and storms
• The warmer summer temperatures and lower rainfall will increase water demands and stress on resources for public water supply, industry and agriculture. This will increase the need for water treatment and sewers, resulting in higher water bills
• The higher temperatures may cause uncomfortable working conditions and an increased need for, and cost of, refrigeration and air conditioning
• The increase in energy demand for refrigeration will lead to more greenhouse gas being released into the atmosphere and, in turn, worsen the climate change situation
• The risk of drought will be increased and dry soils will erode and clay soils shrink, damaging agricultural land; Buildings will be damaged due to subsidence
• Lower river flows and higher temperatures will affect plants and animals that live in and around water, and activities such as angling that depend on them. There is already evidence that rising river temperatures in the East Midlands may be contributing towards a decline in fish populations
• There will be changes in the types of crops that can be grown and new crop pests, such as Colorado Beetle, brought to the region
• Further stress will be placed on endangered species, such as sundew and butterburr, due to the loss of habitats. Coastal habitats such as mudflats will be lost, reducing populations of wading birds
• Even with the threat of more droughts there will be an increased risk of flooding as drainage systems are not expected to cope with the increase in severe storms
• The increased flood risk could raise insurance premiums or make insurance for properties in flood risk areas harder to obtain.
• Transport could be disrupted due to road surfaces melting and rail tracks buckling in the heat of summer, and increased flooding of roads and railways
• Other effects on people may include an increase in food and water borne infections, effects of urban air pollution, and thermal stress and injury from extreme weather events.