New research on the climate change threat to Britain makes urgent case for adaptation

The government must act now in response to the UK Climate Impact Programme’s (UKCIP) latest research which suggests that 800,000 homes could be affected by floods in the next 25 years. The research has warned that by 2040 average summer temperatures in the South of England will rise by 2C by the 2040s and up to 6.4C by 2080.

TCPA Chief Planner Hugh Ellis said:
“The implications of the latest climate change forecasts are severe and what matters now is that we urgently take action on these findings. We must adapt now, learning to live with more extreme weather events and changing weather patterns, and preparing for other changes that are unavoidable. To succeed under a changing climate individuals, organisations, local and central government will all have to do some things differently. Through policy at all levels – national to local - there must be a clear consensus on the need for adaptation and climate change adaptation strategies must ensure decisive action.”

Through the TCPA-led project Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns (GRaBS) the 14 project partners representing eight member states will raise awareness and increase the expertise of how green and blue infrastructure can help new and existing mixed use urban development adapt to projected climate scenarios such as heatwaves and drought.

The GRaBS Project first expert paper ‘The case for climate change adaptation’ published yesterday emphasises the urgent need to act on the UKCIP scenarios. During periods of high temperatures residents of urban areas will suffer significantly. This is because buildings store heat and contribute to the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This can result in temperature differences of up to 7°C between centres of large conurbations such as London and their surrounding rural areas. But even small urban centres demonstrate a UHI effect. Heatwaves are expected to increase in frequency and severity in a warmer world, and the UHI will accentuate the affects of regional warming by increasing summer temperatures relative to outlying districts.

Hugh Ellis added:
“By sharing best practice and advancing the knowledge and expertise of the GRaBS partner staff across Europe we aim to help regional and local municipalities, decision makers, politicians and communities, to make a more informed and strategic response to climate change adaptation.”

For further information about GRaBS visit: www.grabs-eu.org and to download the first expert paper ‘The case for climate change adaptation’ see: http://www.grabs-eu.org/downloads/20090617_GXP.pdf