Archived press release

UK Seabirds Suffer Impacts as Global Warming Hits

30 July 2004

Friends of the Earth today called on political leaders to make action on climate change their top priority following revelations that hundreds of thousands of seabirds have failed to breed in the UK, apparently as a direct result of global warming.

The unprecedented breeding failure has been attributed by scientists to the disappearance of their principal food source - small silver fish called sandeels. The fish, which used to occur in vast shoals, usually provide food for hundreds of thousands of young seabirds such as puffins, kittiwakes and guillemots, but have disappeared because the base of the marine food chain has altered. Warmer average sea temperatures resulting from global warming are believed to have affected the plankton, a key food source for the sandeel.

The disappearance of the fish could also spell bad news for the UK's remaining fishing industry - as changes in the marine ecosystem hit fish stocks.

Worldwide, thousands of people have already died from the impacts of global warming - including more than 400 deaths this week as a result of the devastating floods in Bangladesh.

Friends of the Earth England, Wales and NI Director Tony Juniper said:

"This is shocking news and must serve as a wake-up call to the UK Government. The sudden collapse in the breeding ability in these birds seems to be a direct result of climate change caused by the pollution coming from factories, power stations and cars. This is yet one more powerful signal that we need to take decisive action to bring down emissions of carbon dioxide - the main source of global warming. Thousands of people have already died as a result of climate change worldwide and now the impacts are being felt close to home. The longer we put off measures to deal with this threat, the worse it will get."

"One canary passing out in a mine was enough to warn miners. This is like whole flocks of canaries falling dead out of the sky, warning of catastrophe ahead. If, as it appears, this massive seabird breeding failure is the consequence of global warming, the UK must redouble efforts to get global agreement on drastic action.This event is a disaster for the Scottish environment, with serious implications for the fishing and tourist industries. The Scottish Executive too must heed this wake-up call, by adopting and delivering on ambitious targets for climate change emissions. A thorough review must be undertaken to eliminate policies that fuel climate change - such as air route subsidies and road-building."

Recent studies have shown that Greenland ice cap is disappearing 10 times faster than predicted. If it melts altogether, it will lead to a global sea level rise of seven metres, threatening low-lying communities worldwide.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust