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Much of what we hear on the news about climate change is of distant people and places – polar bears in the Arctic, islands in the Maldives, floods in Bangladesh.
So what does climate change mean for Somerset and how will it affect our lives here?
It's not all doom and gloom! We can seriously reduce the impacts of climate change – but we need to act now.
Local Impacts |
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Many of the effects of climate change in the UK will be the same as elsewhere in the world - hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters, more floods, droughts, storms and rising sea-levels. The changing climate will affect every single one of us.
In Somerset, the greatest challenge is an increase in flooding – both from rivers, but also from the sea, as levels rise. Somerset has always had to cope with flooding, particularly on the Levels, but now the risk is much greater.
Thousands of homes, businesses and communities are under threat. |
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- Somerset has about 235 square miles at, or a few metres above, sea-level.
- Sea-levels are expected to rise in the South West by between 20cm and 80cm by the year 2080*
- At the moment, there is about a 1 in 200 risk of the M5 in Somerset flooding from the sea. If we continue to burn fossil fuels at the current rate, the risk will be 1 in 17 by the year 2060**
*(UK Climate Impacts Programme) **(Environment Agency and Met Office)
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See below for stories of other local impacts.
The Global Picture
Of course we can't ignore what climate change means the rest of the world. Problems include more environmental refugees, financial losses, the spread of pests and disease, water and food shortages and conflict over resources. Not very cheery stuff - but we need to remember that the amount of global warming we experience - and how serious these impacts are, all depends on the action we take now and in the coming decades.
Somerset Climate Frontliners |
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Archaelogy
Somerset has some of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, but hotter drier summers could seriously damage them... |
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Porlock – rising sea levels in Somerset
One Somerset community on the frontline against rising sea levels.
High tides, ferocious storms and occasional flooding are part of life for many coastal communities.... |
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Wildlife
Bluebells are one of the most popular sights in Somerset's spring woodland. But while this year saw the usual bloom in many areas, climate change could see large carpets of bluebells become a thing of the past in locations like the Somerset Wildlife Trust's reserve at Langford Heathfield... |
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