Global Warming UK

Question 1

Higher temperature

Answer 1

+2-3.5*C

•reduce water levels in soil = certain crops/trees won’t survive
= several native may grow further north and at higher altitudes

• longer growing seasons = good for cattle and wheat/cereals
• milder winters = more habitable for pests

•longer summers = tourism
- EXCEPT SKIING IN SCOTLAND

Question 2

Wetter winters and increased sea level

Answer 2

Precipitation up to 35% higher in winter and at least 35% lower in summer

• more water supplies
• flooding
• fewer fresh water resources
• increased river mouth erosion

Question 3

Coasts

Answer 3

•need more money for management and protection

E.g. East Anglia/Lancashire/Thames estuary

•Thames barrier £20billion

Question 4

Weather

Answer 4

Last 45 years had much more extreme events

E.g. 2009 Cumbria - devastating effects costing £1billion

Question 5

Wildlife

Answer 5

• longer summer
• plants e.g. Snowdrops blooming earlier than any other time in the last 20 years
• migratory patterns disrupted e.g. Tufted duck

Question 6

Health

Answer 6

• water availability/stress will become an issue
• increase in heat waves
• increase in air pollution
• scorpions, poisonous spiders, malaria

= expected additional 1500 deaths or hospital admissions per year

Question 7

Food

Answer 7

• currently import 40% of food
• resources of certain foods will become more scarce e.g. Arable crops/maize
• fruits e.g. Peaches/nectarines grown more widely
• British wine industry will benefit

Question 8

Homes

Answer 8

• land use planning will become necessary (increased risk of flooding)
• road materials will have to be designed to withstand higher temperatures and more insolation
• homes to insulate - cool in summer and warm in winter