Climate change committee calls for action on global warming dangers

URGENT action is needed to deal with the already significant risks of flooding and heatwaves caused by the changing climate, UK Government advisers have warned.

Water shortages for homes, agriculture, energy and industry, and effects on domestic and international food production and trade are also among the risks from global warming that urgently need to be tackled.

A new assessment of the risks climate change poses to the UK has also highlighted that rising temperatures could harm wildlife and natural systems such as fisheries and bring new pests and diseases. More action and research is needed by Government in the next five years to address the problems, the report from the Committee on Climate Change’s adaptation sub-committee has warned.

But there are also opportunities, including a potential boost to UK agriculture and forestry, from warmer weather and a longer growing season, if water shortages and soil quality can be managed.

And British businesses may be able to take advantage of an increase in global demand in goods and services which help people adapt to climate change, such as engineering and insurance, the report said.

The analysis warns that floods and coastal erosion are already a significant risk, but “more ambitious approaches” could offset growing flood damage – if temperature rises were kept to 2C above pre-industrial levels.