Policy & Politics Blog

29 November 2010

Scientists warn of hot planet

Record cold November temperatures have been recorded in parts of the UK as scientists publish new research findings that suggest the planet could be 4 degrees warmer by the 2070s.

It seems odd to be talking about a warmer climate whilst many of us struggle through the snow and cold (I pulled my daughter on a sledge to nursery today).

Weather and climate change are clearly related but are also different.

Higher global temperatures are expected to give rise to more extreme weather events, such as the floods in Pakistan this year. This is a long term trend.

But the day to day and week to week weather in particular areas or countries are influenced by local and regional weather patterns, such as the UK being buffeted by winds coming from Russia. The difference is that the planet can warm up whilst at times parts of it may be getting colder. For example, if you were sitting in a sauna but had your hand in a bucket of ice, your hand may be getting very cold but on average your body would be much warmer.

The science reports today suggested that if emissions continue the planet could be much warmer in the next 50 years. This brings with it dangers of more droughts, floods and heat-waves with the knock-on impacts on food supply and the economy. It could lead to the irreversible melting of the Greenland ice sheet, increasing sea levels by many metres over coming centuries, and the melting of Siberian permafrost releasing vast quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas (thus further increasing global warming).

Whilst a warmer world may sound appealing to many people freezing in poorly insulated homes during the UK's current cold snap, the scientists are right to warn of the dangers of a warmer planet. Their research should be listened to by negotiators at the current round of international climate talks.

Posted by Mike Childs | 29 Nov 2010 | Climate Change