Article: What climate change means for Britain

Question 1

Does the UK accept that global warming exists?

Answer 1

The UK accepted in 2012 that global warming exists. This was acknowledged in the UK Climate Risk Assessment Report.

Question 2

Apart from higher average temperatures, how else does global warming affect the weather?

Answer 2

In the UK, global warming will lead to wetter winters with more snow, and probably drier summers. It will lead to more flood risks.

Question 3

Does the UK accept global warming is caused by human activities?

Answer 3

The UK accepted in 2012 that global warming exists and is most likely caused by human activities. This was acknowledged in the UK Climate Risk Assessment Report.

Question 4

How will global warming affect UK farms?

Answer 4

With less water in the summer, the soil will be drier. This means farmers will need to irrigate.

Question 5

Is irrigating farmland a problem?

Answer 5

If water is scarce, irrigation places demands on rivers and underground water sources. This can affect wildlife - particularly fish.

Question 6

How will global warming affect UK forests?

Answer 6

If it is warmer and drier, forests will be at more risk fire. Also, there will be new diseases and pests.

Question 7

Is lack of water the only problem for farmland?

Answer 7

Some farmland will be at risk of frequent flooding in wetter seasons.

Question 8

Could there be any possible benefits for UK farmers?

Answer 8

Farmers could benefit from a longer growing season. They could possibly also grow new types of crops and trees.

Question 9

What could happen to the growing season?

Answer 9

The growing season could be longer.

Question 10

What could happen to the types of crops UK farmers grow?

Answer 10

The farmers in the UK could possibly grow new types of crops and trees.

Question 11

How would flooding and heavy snow affect UK businesses?

Answer 11

In the case of flooding and heavy snow, UK businesses would have supply chain or delivery issues.

Question 12

How would lack of water affect UK businesses?

Answer 12

Some businesses rely on water. Their productivity would be badly damaged in the case of drought.

Question 13

Could higher temperatures improve health and well-being in the UK?

Answer 13

There are many ways higher temperatures could improve the health and well-being UK residents.

Question 14

Could higher temperatures adversely affect health and well-being in the UK?

Answer 14

There are many ways higher temperatures could cause health and well-being problems for UK residents.

Question 15

How could higher temperatures affect vitamin D levels?

Answer 15

Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so improving vitamin D levels.

They would also mean less suffering or even death from cold in the winters.

Question 16

How could higher temperatures affect mental health problems.

Answer 16

Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so improving vitamin D levels and lowering mental health problems.

Question 17

How could higher temperatures affect cancer levels?

Answer 17

Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so increasing the risk of skin cancers.

Question 18

What cancers could increase due to higher temperatures in the UK?

Answer 18

Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so increasing the risk of skin cancers.

Question 19

What kind of weather events caused by climate change could lead to increased deaths, injuries and mental stress?

Answer 19

Events such as flooding and extreme heat in the summers could lead to increased deaths, injuries and mental stress.

Question 20

How could railways and bridges be affected by changes in the weather?

Answer 20

Flooding due to climate change is a serious risk for railways and bridges.

Question 21

How could buildings be affected by changes in the weather?

Answer 21

Flooding and coastal erosion could damage or destroy buildings.

Question 22

How could demand for energy be affected by changes in the weather?

Answer 22

Higher temperatures would lead to more demand for energy to cool buildings.

Question 23

What is the “Urban Heat Island” effect?

Answer 23

The number of buildings and the use of concrete and asphalt, and human activity means that cities can be much warmer than the countryside. This is called the “Urban Heat Island” effect.

Question 24

How much hotter can a city be than the countryside?

Answer 24

Due to the “Urban Heat Island” effect, a city can be 11C warmer than the surrounding countryside.

Question 25

What problems can the “Urban Heat Island” effect cause?

Answer 25

The “Urban Heat Island” effect can lead to increased demand for energy for cooling, and a higher demand for water.

Question 26

Environmental problems.

Drier soil can lead to what problems?

Answer 26

Drier soil can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity.

Question 27

What can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity?

Answer 27

Drier soil can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity.

Question 28

Environmental problems.

Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of what kind of species?

Answer 28

Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.

Question 29

Environmental problems

What kind of weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.

Answer 29

Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.

Question 30

Environmental problems

Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including what?

Answer 30

Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.

Question 31

Environmental problems

How can changes in habitat affect native species?

Answer 31

Native species may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”

Question 32

Environmental problems

What may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”

Answer 32

Native species may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”

Question 33

Environmental problems

What problems will warmer rivers and lakes bring?

Answer 33

Warmer rivers and lakes will bring affect marine habitats, food production and biodiversity.