Climate map shows how rising sea levels could put parts

Global warming Scientists warn Earth will see 3C rise with ‘catastophic impact’

A NUMBER of Somerset towns could be underwater by 2090 if pollution levels remain unchecked, a new study has shown.

Climate Central’s map of the county shows how the current coastline will change within a lifetime to wash away settlements near the sea.

Levels are predicted to rise by one metre over the next 69 years, flooding Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon and Avonmouth.

However, it is not only seaside towns that will lose ground. A huge stretch of the M5 between Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater will also be underwater.

The land between the motorway and Glastonbury and Street looks set to be awash, as does the low-lying ground east of Bridgwater.

According to the map: “With unchecked pollution, factoring in Antarctic research, the median projection for when sea level rise reaches one metre at Hinkley Point is 2090.”

Towns underwater by 2120

Sea levels are expected to rise by two metres by 2120, by which time much of Bridgwater will be flooded.

Smaller settlements like Woolavington and Westonzoyland will also be submerged.

Towns underwater by 2140

When levels surge by three metres over the next 119 years, the flooded parts of the county will be in even deeper water.

Cheddar will also be among the towns submerged, along with North Petherton and Brent Knoll.

Towns underwater by 2170

By 2170, water levels are expected to have risen by five metres and around a third of the county will be underwater.

By this time, even Minehead – which was yet to be badly affected – will lose some of its coastline.

THE world will warm by at least 3C by the end of the century, some Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientists have warned.

Nearly two thirds of those who responded to a Nature survey of IPCC authors said that they expect the planet to warm by this much.

However, some said the world might meet the target of limiting warming to 1.5C.

The survey, featuring answers from around 40% of the group of 92 scientists, indicates scepticism that governments will markedly slow the pace of global warming.

This is despite promises made by global leaders in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

The findings come as the Cop26 climate summit begins in Glasgow.

Released in August, the latest IPCC climate-science report, approved by 195 governments, concluded that fossil fuel emissions are driving planetary changes, threatening people and the ecosystems humans rely on for food and other resources.

The Nature journal conducted an anonymous survey of 233 authors who are part of the IPCC working group. The 92 scientists who took part did so in a personal capacity, not as representatives of the IPCC.

Sixty per cent of respondents said they expect the world will warm by at least 3C by the end of the century, relative to pre-industrial times. And 88% said they think the world is experiencing a ‘climate crisis,’ while nearly as many said they expected to see catastrophic impacts of climate change in their lifetimes.

More than two fifths (41%) said global warming has caused them to reconsider major life decisions, such as where to live, and 17% said it had made them think again about whether to have children.

While more than three fifths (61%) said they experience anxiety, grief or other distress because of concerns over climate change.

However, more than 20% of the scientists said they expect nations to limit global warming to 2C or less, and 4% said the world may meet the target of limiting warming to 1.5C.

The survey is reported in a feature in Nature.