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30/01/2006
Government report warns of 'dangerous' climate changes
A report launched today concludes that the effects of 'dangerous' levels of climate change are likely to occur over coming decades.
It offers little hope that CO2 emissions can be kept in check, and that given rapid global warming, meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet will cause sea levels to rise by seven metres.
The report produced after the "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change" conference, which took place at the Met Office, Exeter in February 2005, examines the consequences of different levels of climate change in terms of impacts for different sectors and regions, as well as the world as a whole.
It also considers technological options that can be deployed to achieve different levels of climate change as the world moves to a lower carbon economy.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the Exeter conference, which took place at the start of the UK's G8 Presidency, provided a scientific backdrop to the Summit at Gleneagles.
In the report's foreword, Mr Blair said: "At the Gleneagles meeting the leaders of the G8 were able to agree on the importance of climate change, that human activity does contribute to it and that greenhouse gas emissions need to slow, peak and reverse. All G8 countries agreed on the need to make substantial cuts".
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said the report illustrated "very clearly the urgency with which the world has to tackle climate change." She said the conclusions would be a shock to many people, unaware that a a tipping point the changes could be "irreversible."
Chief Editor Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber said: "We hope that this book will make a significant contribution to the scientific and policy debate on what constitutes dangerous climate change."
Published today by Defra, 'Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change' explores climate change from a scientific perspective, elaborating the most recent developments on the science behind climate change.
The report explores how much climate change is considered too much and how it can be avoided.
(SP)
It offers little hope that CO2 emissions can be kept in check, and that given rapid global warming, meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet will cause sea levels to rise by seven metres.
The report produced after the "Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change" conference, which took place at the Met Office, Exeter in February 2005, examines the consequences of different levels of climate change in terms of impacts for different sectors and regions, as well as the world as a whole.
It also considers technological options that can be deployed to achieve different levels of climate change as the world moves to a lower carbon economy.
Prime Minister Tony Blair said the Exeter conference, which took place at the start of the UK's G8 Presidency, provided a scientific backdrop to the Summit at Gleneagles.
In the report's foreword, Mr Blair said: "At the Gleneagles meeting the leaders of the G8 were able to agree on the importance of climate change, that human activity does contribute to it and that greenhouse gas emissions need to slow, peak and reverse. All G8 countries agreed on the need to make substantial cuts".
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said the report illustrated "very clearly the urgency with which the world has to tackle climate change." She said the conclusions would be a shock to many people, unaware that a a tipping point the changes could be "irreversible."
Chief Editor Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber said: "We hope that this book will make a significant contribution to the scientific and policy debate on what constitutes dangerous climate change."
Published today by Defra, 'Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change' explores climate change from a scientific perspective, elaborating the most recent developments on the science behind climate change.
The report explores how much climate change is considered too much and how it can be avoided.
(SP)
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17 February 2006
Emissions legacy threatens 'abrupt' climate change
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Met Scientist Awarded For Extreme Weather Discovery
One of the Met Office’s leading scientists has won a prestigious award for research, which has shed new light on how climate change could influence extreme weather over Europe. Dr Adam Scaife has won the Climate Change category of the Lloyd’s Science of Risk Prize, which recognises leading research that could have a big impact on risk management.
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28 October 2010
Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
The Government has committed £100 million to international forestry projects which provide specific benefits for biodiversity.
Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
