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HUMANS ARE CAUSE OF POLAR WARMING
For the first time, human activities have been directly attributed to the rise in temperatures at the Earth’s Poles according to a study published in Nature Geoscience journal.
A gap in research has been plugged which indicates that humans have indeed contributed to warming at both the Arctic and Antarctica. Peter Stott of the Met Office stated that “We really can’t claim anymore that it’s natural variations that are driving these very large changes that we are seeing in our climate system”.
This result was expected for the Arctic, because of the dramatic increase in the melting of sea ice in the summer in this region, but until now, temperature variations in the Antarctica have been harder to interpret. This study demonstrates that there is a discernable human influence on both Polar Regions.
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Climate Change effect on Irish Sea-Birds Identified
A report published by RSPB Ireland and Birdwatch Ireland has identified major problems for Irish seabirds as a result of climate change. The report which uses data from amateur and professional birdwatchers alike has identified 11 species that have been added to the “Red List”. This list included birds which are known to have had their populations reduced by 50%. Speaking about the report Dr James Robinson from the RSPB said;
“This is the first time that changes in climate have been identified as a factor leading to appearances on the “Red List”,
WWF report identifies faster rate of climate change
A new report released by WWF reveals that climate change is occurring at a much faster rate than scientists had previously predicted and will wreak havoc unless action is taken on a global scale. This new scientific data indicates that global warming is accelerating beyond the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report forecasts in 2007.
The data shows that the Arctic Ocean is losing sea ice up to 30 years ahead of the IPCC predictions. Scientists believe that the Arctic Ocean could very soon be ice-free during the summer months, with complete disappearance estimated between 2013 and 2040; a state that has not occurred on this planet for more than a million years.
Predictions also suggest crop failures, the collapse of ecosystems on both land and sea and more frequent and violent weather conditions in the UK. Sea levels are also expected to more than double the IPCC’s maximum estimate of a 0.59m rise, putting vast coastal areas under severe threat.
WWF are urging the European Union (EU) to commit to a reduction target of at least 30% below 1990 levels by 2020, believing that the 20% figure is insufficient.
The report has been endorsed by the newly elected Vice Chair of the IPCC, Professor Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, who said: "It is clear that climate change is already having a greater impact than most scientists had anticipated, so it's vital that international mitigation and adaptation responses become swifter and more ambitious.”
2020 ENERGY TARGET SHORTFALL
Figures published in “The road to 2020” report by RegenSW and the South West of England RDA, highlight the huge challenge facing the South West Region, if it is to play its role in meeting the 15% renewables commitment for the UK.
The South West has the capacity to meet 15% and 20% renewables targets, but rapid changes to national policy and stronger support from local level decision makers is essential. Otherwise predictions, based on current trends, show that the region will only produce 4.6% of its energy from renewables by 2020.
The report identifies how the deployment of renewable energy in the South West has been very slow and changes will have to occur in the next 2 to 3 years to have time to make sufficient impact by 2020. There is potential for over 1000MW of onshore wind capacity in the South West, but only 52MW has been built to date; therefore there is scope for a large increase in onshore wind turbine installations.
Offshore wind in the south west can be a large component in reaching the 15% target, but is critically dependant on the ability to design and construct foundations in water depths of 30 - 50metres at a reasonable cost. Wave and tidal stream technology has also made slow progress and is not expected to make a significant contribution until 2030. Energy reduction measures and energy efficiency are also essential to help the region meet renewable energy targets by 2020.
The proposed Davidstow Community Windfarm in planning with North Cornwall District Council would be capable of generating up to 50MW of renewable electricity which would be a positive contribution towards reaching these renewable targets.
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