The Impacts of The Climate Change

It seems a good bet that the greenhouse effect will keep the world warming for some decades to come. We are already too late to prevent at least some climate change. The only question is how much we allow. If the world continues to burn its reserves of fossil fuels over the coming millennium, recent predictions from the Tyndall Centre suggest a warming of 10 degrees or more.
Powerful weather forecasting computers are being used by scientists to model future weather patterns and other climate change impacts. These tell us that temperatures will not rise uniformly across the globe. The extra heat energy in the atmosphere will trigger greater extremes of heat and drought, of storms and wind and rain and even sometimes of more intense cold.
But, the detail is still far from predictable. Knowing how the climate is likely to change in each country and region will be important for preparing ourselves for the inevitable impacts on our lives and our environment.
All around the world, people will need to consider how to protect themselves and their homes from increased flood risk, how to ensure there is water available for drinking and bathing in the hotter summer months and how to prevent the destruction of natural habitats and the extinction of animal species.
Climate change impacts in the UK on a millennial scale (Acrobat, 732KB, 5 minutes) Report by by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research showing the decisions of this generation will leave a legacy of increasing climate change over the next millennium unless there is a major reduction in emissions.
Global impacts
Nature's responseThe effects that climate change will have on eco-systems around the world.
Impacts on human systemsCan human society survive the disruption of climate change?
Melting ice and sea level riseHow the impacts of melting glaciers and ice caps will be felt worldwide.
UK impacts
The climate is changing: time to get readyOur report on climate change impacts
How UK weather will changeMore storms, heavier rain, stronger wind... and balmy weather in Manchester.
Impacts on the British landscape and urban environmentHow climatic changes will bring alterations in our landscape and lifestyles.
Impacts on UK biodiversityWhy rare wildlife habitats and species may be threatened.
Impacts on UK land-useHow farming could suffer from more pests, worse soil erosion and a decrease in agricultural land.
Flood threatsHow more intense rain, rising sea levels and wetter soils will increase flood risk in the UK.
Threats to water resourcesHow climate change may affect our water supplies and the demands made on them.
The climate is changing: time to get ready (2005) (Acrobat, 997KB, 8 minutes) Latest Environment Agency report on climate change impacts in England and Wales.