Articles in ‘Climate change in the UK’
November 27th, 2009
The Guardian has an editorial this week praising the planting of trees, inspired by a scientific study for the Forestry Commission, calling for the mass planting of trees as a reliable and cheap way of soaking up carbon dioxide.
If Britain planted 23,200 hectares of woodland a year for the next 40 years, this country’s forests could soak up 10% of predicted emissions. That might sound like a lot of trees, but even at this rate woodland would cover only 16% of the land, far below the European average. The way this is done matters: no one wants to see a repeat of the endless dark lines of Sitka spruce which harmed the spirit of Ennerdale, in the Lake District, or drained the life from the peat soil of the Flow Country in Caithness. Read
Climate change in the UK, Trees of Britain, Woodland in the UK | Tags: soaking up carbon dioxide|
November 23rd, 2009
The Guardian’s Country Diary has a vivid description of the recent torrential rain in the Lake District, which resulted in the catastrophic flooding of the Cockermouth area. Here’s an extract:
Sheets of precipitation ran off the waterlogged ground and into the becks and rivers, which stampeded downhill causing landslides and destroying bridges and collapsing embankments. . . . few Lakeland valleys escaped. Waterfalls cascaded down crags, sweeping scree on to roads so that rocks litter the tarmac, some big enough to have smashed through drystone walls and leave gouges in the fellsides in their wake.
About 25 cm of rain fell in 24 hours, making it the wettest day ever recorded in Cumbria. This quantity is the equivalent of the rainfall usually experienced in the Southeast of England over 5-6 months. Newcastle University researchers have found that rainstorms in the UK have doubled in intensity over the last 40 years, due in part to increased water evaporation from warmer seas.
Climate change in the UK, England, Natural disasters in Britain, The Lake District, Weather and climate | Tags: catstrophic flooding in Cockermouth, changing patterns of rainfall in the UK, effect of floods on Lake District, flooding in the UK, wettest day recorded in Cumbria|
November 9th, 2009
Instead of hibernating, bumblebees are showing increasing activity during British winters. Sightings are most frequent in the south-east and the west of England, but are also being recorded in East Anglia, Wales, the Midlands and as far north as Hull. Climate change undoubtedly has a role to play, but the trend is also being attributed to the British passion for gardening and the availablility of flowers all year round for foraging bees. The non-native shrub Mahonia is mentioned as being particularly popular with both gardeners and insects. The phenomenon, restricted to British urban and suburban areas, is shedding light on how certain species of bees might be adapting to climate change. More info in the Independent
Climate change in the UK, insects of Britain | Tags: bumblebees active in winter, bumblebees and climate change, gardening and bumblebees, how insects are adapting to climate change, Mahonia and bumblebees|
October 27th, 2009
The Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia), a rare migrant sporadically seen on the south coast of England, has been observed breeding in Sussex. With climate change, the butterfly’s range has been creeping ever northwards, and sightings in England have increased in recent years. The mating Fritillaries photographed by Neil Hulme, member of Butterfly Conservation, are believed to be the offspring of a migrant butterfly spotted in July. It now remains to be seen if this species will be able to establish a breeding colony, as the Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus) has done. Its success will depend largely on environmentally-friendly farming practices, such as not spraying crops at the edge of fields. More information on the Queen of Spain Fritillary at UK Butterflies
Climate change in the UK, butterflies of Britain, insects of Britain | Tags: climate change and butterflies, effect of climate change on British butterflies, Issoria lathonia in Britain, migrating butterflies in Britain, Queen of Spain Fritillary colony in England, Queen of Spain Fritillary in Britain, rare butterflies of Britain|
October 11th, 2009
An almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) has been caught 5 miles off Lundy island in what might be another sign of climate change. This species is normally found in warmer waters, such as near Florida and the Caribbean. There is speculation if a colony is establishing itself in the Bristol Channel. The species is known for rubbing itself against passing sharks - and divers - to remove skin parasites. Daily Telegraph
Climate change in the UK, Fish in British seas, Fishing | Tags: fish and climate change, new species in British waters, tropical fish in Britain|
August 19th, 2009
Algae is thriving this warm wet British summer, choking the life out of the sea and mudflats. It’s a problem expected to grow in the future, and the only solution is to cut off the nutrients on which it thrives – sewage pollution or fertilisers leaking from farms. There is also concern about the toxicity of algae when it begins to rot. Daily Telegraph
Climate change in the UK, Farming, Sealife in British seas | Tags: algae on British coast, algae problem, growth of algae and pollution|
August 19th, 2009
This summer there’s good reason to be optimistic about the Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), on the list of endangered British butterflies. With the destruction of its preferred woodland habitat, the species hung on in areas of undergrazed downland in the south of England, favoured by the crash in the rabbit population. What’s unusual this year is that a second generation of the butterfly has appeared in one of its more northerly outposts, Rodborough Common, Gloucestershire, owned by the National Trust. Climate change seems responsible for the butterfly emerging earlier every spring and for this appearance of a second brood in summer, as occurs in southern Europe. Read more at the BBC, where you can also listen to the clearly thrilled conservation advisor Matthew Oates, as he talks about the revival of the Duke of Burgundy.
Climate change in the UK, Conservation issues in the UK, butterflies of Britain | Tags: Butterflies in England, butterflies on Rodborough Common, butterfly conservation, Duke of Burgundy butterfly|
August 11th, 2009
More and more species are moving northwards into Scotland and to ever higher altitudes, according to scientists. They suspect warmer temperatures has allowed species such as grass snakes and orange tip butterflies to move into new regions. In contrast, a tiny spider and a snail face extinction in the face of higher temperatures. BBC
Climate change in the UK | Tags: Climate change and grass snakes, Climate change and insects, Climate change in Scotland|
August 2nd, 2009
London is planning to plant two million trees by 2025, increasing greenery by 5%, in an effort to combat rises in summer temperature during this century. Temperatures could rise by 3.9C by 2080, with the hottest days soaring to 6C to 10C above the present records. London suffers from the “urban heat island effect” in which buildings absorb and release heat, maintaining a higher temperature in cities than surrounding areas, and so it will be more affected by global warming than the South-east. However, research done in Manchester suggests that a 10% increase in trees in a city can offset the higher temperatures predicted. Other plans involve green roofs and featuring waterproofing and drainage layers topped with soil and plants. The Guardian
See also Leading to a Greener London pdf ( Boris Johnson propoganda?)
Climate change in the UK | Tags: climate change in London, Climate chnage mitigation in London, London parks, natural history of London, Trees in London, Urban forests, Urban heat island in London, Wildlife in London|
July 29th, 2009
A group of eight Portuguese Man O’ War were found strewn on Tregantle beach near Whitsand Bay. Experts say they expect more to be brought in by prevailing winds. Daily Telegraph. These creatures, which are not actually jellyfish but a species called siphonophores, live in warmer waters than those around the UK but global warming is believed to be pushing them further north - ever closer towards Britain. They can in extreme cases provoke a cardiac arrest and death in particularly sensitive persons.
It is also interesting note that Portuguese Man O’ War have also been seen increasingly more often on the coasts of Spain.
Note the English and Spanish etymology comes from the creature’s air bladder, which looks similar to the triangular sails of the 15th.century Portuguese man-of-war Caravela latina.
British seas, Climate change in the UK, Cornwall, Sealife in British seas | Tags: Dangerous animals in Britain, Jellyfish in Cornwall, Jellyfish in the UK, Portuguese Man O' War in England, Portuguese Man O' War in the UK, Tregantle beach, Whitsand Bay|
July 23rd, 2009
It’s thought that vineyards were first established in Britain in Roman times, and then revived after the Norman Conquest, when most wine-making was run by Benedictine monasteries, ostensibly for religious ceremonies. The dissolution of the monasteries and the onset of the Little Ice Age were factors in the decline in viticulture, which is now enjoying a boom. Read the rest of this entry
Climate change in the UK, Farming | Tags: English vineyards, English wine, vineyards in Britain, wine production and climate change, wine production in England, wine production in the Middle Ages|
July 19th, 2009
An anchor-free zone has been created in Dorset’s Studland Bay to protect Britain’s biggest seahorse breeding colony. Locals have mixed feelings about this, some worrying about a decline in boating visitors.
Britain’s population of seahorses appears to be on the rise, but connections with global warming have been downplayed. Factors behind the jump in seahorse sightings include the general public’s increased awareness of their existence and the way internet makes it easier to report and gather data. Neil Garrick-Maidment, Director of the UK’s Seahorse Trust, believes fluctuations in populations of seahorses – and other sea life - are chiefly influenced by the constantly shifting Gulf Stream. Daily Telegraph.
Climate change in the UK, Conservation issues in the UK, Sealife in British seas | Tags: Seahorse colony in uk, seahorses in Britain, Studland Bay|
July 7th, 2009
According to entomologists, several once-rare species of crickets are spreading through England because of global warming, far faster than any other insect. Their chirping mating sound, more associated with the Mediterranean, is being heard further and further north.
Daily Telegraph
Climate change in the UK, insects of Britain | Tags: Climate change and insects, Crickets in England|
July 3rd, 2009
Global warming is leading to a reduction in size of a breed of wild sheep on Hirta, St Kilda. Scientists say milder winters are helping smaller Soay sheep to survive. This goes against classic evolutionary theory which predicts that wild sheep gradually get bigger, as the stronger, larger animals survive into adulthood and reproduce. The researchers found that the local environment had a stronger effect on the animals than the Read the rest of this entry
Climate change in the UK, Scotland, Weather and climate | Tags: Hirta, Scottish breeds of sheep, Soay sheep, St Kilda, St Kilda sheep, Young mum effect in sheep|
The RSPB is gathering extensive information about exactly where swifts are nesting in the UK. It is suspected that their rapid decline in recent years is linked with a drop in suitable nesting sites, as buildings are modernised.
The first year’s survey reveals that of the houses where swifts are nesting:
A new generation of commoners will receive financial support to ensure animals continue to graze in the New Forest and so conserve its rich biodiversity.
The Co-op is further expanding its 
There are now some excellent landscape blogs covering Britain. Here are a few:
With more and more people wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables, the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners have over 100,000 people on their waiting lists. The National Trust have responded to this demand by allocating land for “super allotments” or community farms. In return for a monthly fee, members will decide what should be grown, and have the opportunity to work on the farms, receiving a share of the produce. 
