Climate change in the UK

Some climate change across the globe is now considered inevitable. As a result, the UK is expected to become warmer and wetter and to experience more extreme weather.

As carbon levels continue to rise and to trap heat in the atmosphere, the overall world temperature will rise too. Reducing carbon emissions will limit this increase.

UK weather patterns

The UK Climate Projections indicate that in this country, we face warmer and wetter winters and hotter, drier summers, as well as rising sea levels. We are likely to experience more extreme weather such as heat waves and storms. All this will lead to problems such as frequent localised flooding and drought.

Social, wellbeing and economic effects

Changing weather patterns will bring other consequences affecting many aspects of our lives. For example, our emergency services will be put under increasing strain, transport and other systems will face frequent interruption and many health conditions could be exacerbated.

Wider global climate-related trends will also have an impact on the UK. Prices of energy, food and other goods are likely to rise if supply chains across the world are disrupted or sources disappear. There is even the possibility that immigration could increase dramatically as communities elsewhere are forced to leave uninhabitable areas or regions where scarce resources such as water lead to conflict.

We will also need to adapt to living in a low carbon society if our efforts to tackle climate change are to be successful.

What will this mean for your organisation?