Social, Environment and Economic Impacts of Climate Change on UK Flashcards
What percentage of the UK’s population lives within 10 miles of the coast?
30%
What type of areas in the UK are at risk of coastal flooding due to rising sea levels?
Low-lying areas, especially in eastern England and London
Why is London at risk of serious flooding?
The Thames Flood Barrier may no longer be able to cope with rising sea levels
How much infrastructure is at risk from coastal flooding?
£120 billion worth of infrastructure, including transport routes, power stations, and oil and gas terminals
Why are elderly people particularly vulnerable to coastal flooding?
Coastal towns have a high number of elderly residents who are the least able to cope with flood events
What effect will increased extreme rainfall have on UK flooding?
It will increase river flooding, which worsens coastal flooding and puts more properties at risk
How much does river and coastal flooding currently cost the UK per year?
£1.3 billion
How much could flood damage cost the UK annually by 2080?
Up to £12 billion
What happened in the summer of 2007 in the UK?
The UK experienced its wettest May and June since records began, leading to widespread flooding
What was the total economic cost of the 2007 floods?
£3.2 billion
Which town was badly affected by the 2007 floods?
Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire
How much rain fell in Tewkesbury on 20 July 2007?
Two months’ worth of rain fell in just 14 hours
How many people died in the 2007 floods?
Three people
How many houses were completely cut off during the 2007 floods?
1,800 houses
How many people lost electricity during the 2007 floods?
50,000 people
How many houses were left without water due to the flooding of a water treatment works in 2007?
135,000 houses for 17 days
Which bird species suffered due to flooded breeding grounds in 2007?
Lapwing and Redshank
What was the highest recorded temperature in the UK during the 2003 heatwave?
38.5°C in Kent
How many people died in the UK due to the 2003 heatwave?
2,000 people
Why do people with respiratory conditions suffer more in extreme heat?
Air pollution increases, worsening conditions like asthma
Why does extreme heat cause more foodborne illnesses?
Bacteria breed more rapidly on food, leading to an estimated 9,000 extra salmonella cases per year by 2050
What effect will climate change have on water supply in the UK?
High temperatures and less summer rain will cause water shortages, especially in London and the southeast
Why are water shortages a problem for power stations?
Power stations need large amounts of water and may be forced to shut down during droughts
How will climate change affect farming in the UK?
Farmers will face water shortages and extreme weather, making it harder to grow crops
How could climate change increase the UK’s reliance on imported food?
Water shortages and extreme weather will make it harder to grow certain crops, leading to greater food imports
By how much is the UK’s climate expected to warm by 2050?
1-2.5°C
What are two benefits of warmer temperatures in the UK?
Fewer deaths from cold weather and improved conditions for tourism and farming
How will warmer temperatures benefit UK tourism?
More people will holiday in the UK, and the tourist season will be longer, boosting spending on hotels, food, and attractions
Which regions will benefit most from an improved Tourism Comfort Index?
Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset
How will warmer temperatures help UK farming?
Longer growing seasons and the ability to grow new crops like sunflowers, olives, and melons
How has the English wine industry benefited from climate change?
Warmer temperatures have improved conditions for vineyards, leading to a doubling of vineyard land from 2004 to 2014
How many bottles of English wine were sold in 2014?
6.4 million bottles, a 43% increase on the previous record
What extreme weather event negatively impacted UK wine production in 2012?
Floods destroyed many crops, reducing production to just 1.03 million bottles
