‘Severe storms and floods to increase’ reveals marine climate change report

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) published a report on Monday outlining the potentially devastating effects of climate change upon the UK’s marine environment.

The report detailed how seven of the ten warmest years for UK coastal waters have been in last decade. It also revealed that 2006 was the second warmest year for coastal waters since UK records began in 1870. Warmer winters are strongly linked to reduced breeding success and an increasing struggle for survival in some seabird populations.

The report also warns of an increasing number of severe storms and floods. In addition, MCCIP researchers believe that coastal erosion - already happening along 17% of the UK’s coastline - will increase due to climate change.

“Climate change, including marine climate change, is one of the most serious threats facing us today,” commented Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment. “Our seas play a vital role in regulating our climate and are a lifeline for the communities that live around them.” He added that climate change is a “global issue” that can “only be tackled if we work together.”

The minister for marine, landscape and rural affairs, Jonathan Shaw, also commented that “Healthy seas are central to our wellbeing, shaping our climate as well as providing food and livelihoods.

“The MCCIP project shows the value of working together to protect the marine environment and to find sustainable solutions to the challenges we all face.”