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'In my view' - Curator talks Climate Change
In my view - Oliver Buttling, Group Curator of the Oceanarium Bournemouth
As those affected by the floods in the Lake District begin to deal with the damage left behind from the receding water, it is likely the question will be raised as to whether this extreme weather is a result of climate change.
The floods in the North of England are the latest in a series of severe natural events to hit the UK in recent years. Although it is too early to establish climate change as the cause for these events, forecasts by scientists do predict an increase in the occurrence of such weather as the planet warms up.
Carbon dioxide emissions are believed to be a main contributor to the increase in temperatures and the rate of climate change.
With an ever growing human population and without drastic action from the world’s leaders, the Earth’s emissions are set to continue rising. It is hoped that the UN Climate Summit, scheduled to take place in Copenhagen next week, will deliver a new global climate treaty, with the 60 presidents and prime ministers attending the summit, reaching a definitive deal to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.
While the recent floods in the North of England illustrate the potential effects of climate change on the UK population, it’s important to also highlight the devastating effects these changes are having on wildlife.
Arctic temperatures are now higher than ever, causing the Greenland ice sheet to lose mass faster than in previous years, resulting in a rise in sea levels. Recent findings show summer ice cover to be the lowest ever and indicate that the Arctic Ocean could be largely ice-free during the summer months in as little as ten years time.
One of the terrible consequences of this dramatic reduction in ice cover, is habitat loss for endangered species such as the world’s largest land predator, the polar bear. Already threatened, the polar bear is now facing its natural environment melting away; as such, it faces the likelihood of extinction by the end of the Century.
Alongside the loss of habitat for the endangered species that call the Arctic home, a rise in sea levels will have a devastating effect on coastlines and fragile ecosystems, such as coral reefs, which are already facing additional dangers from rising sea temperatures.
To reduce the dramatic pace of climate change and it’s consequences on both the global population and wildlife, changes need to be made.
Much of these changes need to be made by world leaders, however, the power and influence of individuals should not be underestimated. In addition to the much anticipated climate change deal, if everyone reduces their production of carbon emissions, the collective effect could make a real difference.
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