The effects of climate change are unstoppable and CO2 reduction treaties are near useless, a new report suggests.
The report: ‘Climate Change: Adapting to the Inevitable’, published by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) predicts the effects of climate change in three regions; the UK, Botswana and Shangai. The new research undertaken by IMechE in partnership with Arup and the University of East Anglia, explores the role of ‘failing Kyoto type agreements’ and ongoing political debates in combating climate change and explores whether the impending Copenhagen conference in November to agree a new CO2 treaty to replace the Kyoto agreement which expires in 2012; will make any difference in the enormous challenge faced by the human race.
Climate modelling in the report shows the UK suffering from increased flooding, volatile storms, droughts and intense heat and areas including London and the Norfolk Broads could eventually, literally, be wiped off the map.
Whilst not being against attempts to reduce emissions, the reports’ authors call for government to be more realistic about what we can achieve through this method and calls for us to plan to adapt to climate change as well as to attempt to mitigate the change.
Dr Tim Fox, Head of Environment and Climate Change at the IMechE said: “This report is being launched at a crucial time. Nations will converge on Copenhagen for yet more talks on emission reductions, whilst it has almost become a catchphrase to blame weather incidents, such as unprecedented flooding and heatwaves, on climate change.
In a month’s time IMechE will launch its three-pronged plan to a select group of MPs in an urgent bid to start implementing long-term adaptation. IMechE warns that if CO2 emissions are not slashed, then within 30 years temperatures are predicted to rise by 2 degrees – by which time, the report says, it will be too little, too late.
The report seeks to highlight the potentially devastating consequences that climate change will create if we fail to ‘adapt’ to a new world with a series of engineering solutions. To successfully adapt, IMechE recommends strategic action plans are created and implemented with urgency across the following areas: energy, water, built environment and transport.
The report’s recommendations include heavily investing in planning and resources for our future settlements, critical national assets (power stations and ports) and transport routes whilst also urging the UK to lead the industrialised world to help vulnerable nations cope with impending climate change events.
