Climate changes that sound small - like a 2°C
global temperature rise - will have a serious impact, causing
rising seas levels and extreme weather events like droughts and
torrential rainfall.
Climate projections from the UK Climate
Impacts Programme (UKCIP) provide the latest information on how the
continued release of greenhouse gases may change the UK's climate
over the 21st century.
Climate change projections for the North West for
2070-2099:
- Summer is likely to be warmer and drier with
an increase of 3.7°C in temperatures and 12% less rainfall
- Winter will also be warmer, but wetter - with a predicted 2.6°C
increase in temperatures and 16% increase in rainfall
The climate change we are seeing now is a
result of past greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas
emissions quickly is essential to prevent the most damaging climate
change but even if concentrations of greenhouse gases remain
constant, climate change would continue for decades. We all need to
prepare for this unavoidable climate change and take action to
limit the severity in the future.
For more detailed information on predicted
climate changes please visit the UK
Climate Projections (external link) website.
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