Article: What climate change means for Britain Flashcards
Does the UK accept that global warming exists?
The UK accepted in 2012 that global warming exists. This was acknowledged in the UK Climate Risk Assessment Report.
Apart from higher average temperatures, how else does global warming affect the weather?
In the UK, global warming will lead to wetter winters with more snow, and probably drier summers. It will lead to more flood risks.
Does the UK accept global warming is caused by human activities?
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.
How will global warming affect UK farms?
With less water in the summer, the soil will be drier. This means farmers will need to irrigate.
Is irrigating farmland a problem?
If water is scarce, irrigation places demands on rivers and underground water sources. This can affect wildlife - particularly fish.
How will global warming affect UK forests?
If it is warmer and drier, forests will be at more risk fire. Also, there will be new diseases and pests.
Is lack of water the only problem for farmland?
Some farmland will be at risk of frequent flooding in wetter seasons.
Could there be any possible benefits for UK farmers?
Farmers could benefit from a longer growing season. They could possibly also grow new types of crops and trees.
What could happen to the growing season?
The growing season could be longer.
What could happen to the types of crops UK farmers grow?
The farmers in the UK could possibly grow new types of crops and trees.
How would flooding and heavy snow affect UK businesses?
In the case of flooding and heavy snow, UK businesses would have supply chain or delivery issues.
How would lack of water affect UK businesses?
Some businesses rely on water. Their productivity would be badly damaged in the case of drought.
Could higher temperatures improve health and well-being in the UK?
There are many ways higher temperatures could improve the health and well-being UK residents.
Could higher temperatures adversely affect health and well-being in the UK?
There are many ways higher temperatures could cause health and well-being problems for UK residents.
How could higher temperatures affect vitamin D levels?
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.
How could higher temperatures affect mental health problems.
Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so improving vitamin D levels and lowering mental health problems.
How could higher temperatures affect cancer levels?
Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so increasing the risk of skin cancers.
What cancers could increase due to higher temperatures in the UK?
Higher temperatures could lead to people spending more time outside - and so increasing the risk of skin cancers.
What kind of weather events caused by climate change could lead to increased deaths, injuries and mental stress?
Events such as flooding and extreme heat in the summers could lead to increased deaths, injuries and mental stress.
How could railways and bridges be affected by changes in the weather?
Flooding due to climate change is a serious risk for railways and bridges.
How could buildings be affected by changes in the weather?
Flooding and coastal erosion could damage or destroy buildings.
How could demand for energy be affected by changes in the weather?
Higher temperatures would lead to more demand for energy to cool buildings.
What is the “Urban Heat Island” effect?
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.
How much hotter can a city be than the countryside?
Due to the “Urban Heat Island” effect, a city can be 11C warmer than the surrounding countryside.
What problems can the “Urban Heat Island” effect cause?
The “Urban Heat Island” effect can lead to increased demand for energy for cooling, and a higher demand for water.
Environmental problems.
Drier soil can lead to what problems?
Drier soil can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity.
What can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity?
Drier soil can lead to erosion and harm bio-diversity.
Environmental problems.
Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of what kind of species?
Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.
Environmental problems
What kind of weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.
Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.
Environmental problems
Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including what?
Warmer weather can lead to the invasion of non-native species, including pests.
Environmental problems
How can changes in habitat affect native species?
Native species may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”
Environmental problems
What may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”
Native species may be unable to adapt as their normal habitat changed or “moved”
Environmental problems
What problems will warmer rivers and lakes bring?
Warmer rivers and lakes will bring affect marine habitats, food production and biodiversity.
