Maps reveal the future effects of climate change
SCIENTIFIC studies are showing the truly devastating direct impact climate change is going to have on Wales.
Huge parts of both the south and north of Wales will be below sea level by 2050 unless huge cuts are made to carbon emissions immediately.
Wales will be both hit strongly by these changes brought about by climate change and also has a key role in preventing it happening.
This is happening right now with the latest annual State of the UK Climate review compiled by the meteorological experts showing how the country continues to warm, with 2019’s average temperature 1.1C above levels seen between 1961 and 1990. Last year was most notable for breaking records with the UK recording its hottest temperature ever as the mercury soared to 38.7C (101.7F) at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens on July 25.
The images come from the organisation Climate Central who are an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists who research and report the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.
Each image shows the parts of Wales that will be below sea level in 2050 and are at risk of flooding.
This is based on:
■ Only moderate cuts to emissions (as opposed to no cuts or large cuts);
■ That we have moderate luck (compared to bad or good luck);
■ The average amount that scientists think climate change could have on our sea levels (there are extremes either side); and,
■ That no extra coastal defences are built.
It includes the added height of a local annual flood. An annual flood’s height above sea level is exceeded once per year on average. Cardiff is particularly at risk. In January Cardiff was ranked the most at-risk city in the UK due to climate change and the 6th most at risk in the world.
It is one of only two European cities in the top 10 and much higher than the next UK city, London, which is ranked 22nd.