West Sussex County Council: Climate change

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Climate change is the most serious environmental challenge facing us is the 21st century. Scientists agree that the activities of humans are increasing global warming and changing our climate.

In 2002, a new report was released showing four different possibilities of how our climate in the UK might change. The scenarios take into account the possible changes in technology and lifestyle over the next 100 years. Our climate may not change in exactly the same way as is predicted in the scenarios, but they give a guide about what we can expect.

Temperature

• Annual average temperatures look set to rise by between 2C and 3.5C by the 2080s. The south and east of the UK will most likely see the largest rise in temperature, in contrast to the north and west which will see the least.
• Most of the warming will be in summer and autumn.
• Summer rises in southern England and south Wales are expected to be the highest.
• In contrast, rises in the winter in the northwest of Scotland are predicted to be between 1C and 2C.

Precipitation

• Precipitation in winter will increase in all areas of the country.
• The increase in winter rainfall is predicted to range from between 10% and 35%, depending on the area of the country.
• The country will be 35% drier as a result of less summer rainfall.
• The largest changes are predicted for the southern and eastern part of England, the smallest changes are forcast to be in northwest Scotland.
• Less snow will fall throughout the UK - a decline of up to 90%.

As well as changing temperatures and rainfall, climate change will impact on our health, economy, houses and countryside. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses by burning less oil will help to reduce future impacts, but we also need to look at ways to adapt to climate change.

*Photo credit John Connor Press Associates