Climate Change in the South West
What to expect in our region
South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership predictions:
- Summers becoming hotter and drier
- This could mean the alteration of natural habitats and a strain on the regions water resources
- Wetter winters
- This could mean flash flooding and damage due to storms
Much of the South West relies on its natural resources; mainly its coastal and inland landscape as this attracts its biggest source of income - tourists. Not just this but the South West has some of the most beautiful areas in the country and much of this is untouched. Lots of areas of inland are farmed and the coast provides jobs and recreational activities for residents and holiday makers alike. There is a worry that sea level rise will affect the South West greatly, especially Cornwall, cutting off certain areas and creating islands i.e. Land's End.
Back on the nature side of things, the Sotuh West is said to have around 20% of the countrys untouched ancient woodland some of which, such as along the Helford River, will suffer greatly with sea level rise. This may mean the loss of certain species and a decrease in biodiversity.
The South West is also one of the hotter areas of the country but as temperatures increase with climate change, it is thought the region will get 1.0 to 2.5°C warmer and the winters will get significantly wetter. (Although at current 2007/2008 has not proved this point!) These 2 factors will mean an increase in storms and flooding which could mean problems along the coast with more erosion and weathering. There are also fears that the increasing temperatures will bring huge amounts of tourists to the South Coast, even dubbing it the 'Costa del Cornwall'. Although tourism is the main industry relied upon in the area to bring in revenue, it would have a massive impact upon the wildlife here and could lead to the increase of fuman impact on the area. Scientists are worried that Britain is not considering this as a serious problem.
Cornwall Country Council addressing the problem of Climate Change:
http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=35603
