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28/04/2009
£11m To Protect Seas From Climate Change
A five-year, £11million study into the effects of climate change on Britain's seas has been announced as scientists warn of more acidic seas affecting the food chain.
Ocean acidity, caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the sea, has risen 30 per cent in the last 200 years, faster than any time in the last 65million years, with serious implications for sealife and our climate, according to a new report.
The sea absorbs CO2 in the atmosphere but over time as emissions have increased it has become more acidic, which means not only will it absorb less CO2 in future but that corals, plankton, shellfish and other vital links in the food chain will be under threat.
Now Defra is jointly funding a major research programme with the Natural Environment Research Councils (NERC). It will concentrate on the North East Atlantic, Antarctic and Arctic oceans and study the effects of acidification on biodiversity, habitats, species and wider socio-economic implications.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for the Natural & Marine Environment, said: "Ocean acidification will be one of the biggest environmental concerns of this century, with major and far-reaching impacts.
"We need to understand much more about the scale and nature of the effect CO2 is having on our oceans and marine life."
The report by the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, published today, also highlights how many small effects of climate change are being magnified through important links with the marine environment, and how distant events such as melting Arctic sea ice may affect people, wildlife and the environment in the UK.
(JM/BMcC)
Ocean acidity, caused by increased amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the sea, has risen 30 per cent in the last 200 years, faster than any time in the last 65million years, with serious implications for sealife and our climate, according to a new report.
The sea absorbs CO2 in the atmosphere but over time as emissions have increased it has become more acidic, which means not only will it absorb less CO2 in future but that corals, plankton, shellfish and other vital links in the food chain will be under threat.
Now Defra is jointly funding a major research programme with the Natural Environment Research Councils (NERC). It will concentrate on the North East Atlantic, Antarctic and Arctic oceans and study the effects of acidification on biodiversity, habitats, species and wider socio-economic implications.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for the Natural & Marine Environment, said: "Ocean acidification will be one of the biggest environmental concerns of this century, with major and far-reaching impacts.
"We need to understand much more about the scale and nature of the effect CO2 is having on our oceans and marine life."
The report by the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership, published today, also highlights how many small effects of climate change are being magnified through important links with the marine environment, and how distant events such as melting Arctic sea ice may affect people, wildlife and the environment in the UK.
(JM/BMcC)
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Heat waves in Europe are likely to become hotter and much more frequent during the course of this century, the Met Office has warned. Research by the Met Office's Hadley Centre suggested that European heat waves could become hotter by between 4 and 10 C – an increase greater than that expected for normal summer days.
Heat waves to become 'hotter and more frequent'
Heat waves in Europe are likely to become hotter and much more frequent during the course of this century, the Met Office has warned. Research by the Met Office's Hadley Centre suggested that European heat waves could become hotter by between 4 and 10 C – an increase greater than that expected for normal summer days.
17 February 2006
Emissions legacy threatens 'abrupt' climate change
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Emissions legacy threatens 'abrupt' climate change
New research suggests that the decisions of this generation will leave a legacy of increasingly abrupt climate change over the next millennium unless there is a major reduction in C02 emissions.
26 June 2012
Idle Appliances Eat Up Household Energy
UK homes are consuming much more electricity than previously estimated and up to 16% of energy bill totals are spent on devices left on standby, a detailed report has claimed. The report, commissioned by the government and the Energy Saving Trust, surveyed more than 250 households.
Idle Appliances Eat Up Household Energy
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28 October 2010
Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
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Defra Commits £100m To International Forestry Projects
The Government has committed £100 million to international forestry projects which provide specific benefits for biodiversity.
07 June 2007
Virgin launch biodiesel train
The first train to run on biodiesel is being launched by the Virgin rail network. It is understood that one of the firm's Voyager trains has been modified in order to use the environmentally friendly fuel, which will reduce CO2 emissions. The fuel is 20% biodiesel, a fuel which is made from biological sources such as vegetable oils.
Virgin launch biodiesel train
The first train to run on biodiesel is being launched by the Virgin rail network. It is understood that one of the firm's Voyager trains has been modified in order to use the environmentally friendly fuel, which will reduce CO2 emissions. The fuel is 20% biodiesel, a fuel which is made from biological sources such as vegetable oils.
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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.
