Press releases 2001

Fatal Landslip at Morfa Nefyn could be a result of Global Warming

Friends of the Earth Cymru has warned that the today's fatal landslip at Morfa Nefyn could have been partly due to global warming. The group say that the recent prolonged rains could be a contributory factor to the slip. FOE Cymru has called on the Environment Agency to investigate the cause of the fatal landslip and compile a list of other potentially dangerous areas.

The environmentalists point out that although it cannot be said for certain than today's fatality was caused by the prolonged rains brought on by global warming, it is these kinds of new dangers that we need to be aware of.

Neil Crumpton, energy spokesperson said:

"Since the summer there have been flash floods on Penllyn and a landslip on the horseshoe pass after heavy rains. The less we tackle the causes of global warming the more these kind on dangers will occur as the Welsh climate becomes wetter. Luckily the UK has not experienced the thousands of dead and the national disruption that muddy torrents and floods have caused in Venezuela, Honduras and Mozambique."

The group emphasise the need for heavy investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The year 2000 was recorded as the fifth highest global temperature on record. England and Wales were the wettest since 1872 (BBC Weather Forecast 2.1.01)