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Temperatures could rise by 2C

Date: 18/6/2009 13:25:30

Search: Climate change predictions

Temperatures could rise by 2C in parts of the UK by mid century, a report on the impacts of climate change is expected to reveal.

The UK Climate Projections 09 study will outline changes to temperatures, rainfall and sea level in different parts of the country that could occur in the coming decades.

Flooding, storms, droughts and heatwaves are all set to become more common as a result of rising temperatures, with negative impacts on health, lifestyles and the countryside.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned that some climate change was inevitable because of the greenhouse gases already emitted into the atmosphere.

The research, led by the Met Office Hadley Centre and delayed from last year, looks in detail at what might happen under different levels of emissions - high, medium and low - in the coming years.

It is based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) emissions scenarios and the potential impacts of greenhouse gases on the UK are expected to be worse than previously thought.

Ahead of the publication of the research, environmentalists called for tougher action on emissions to avoid the "damaging impacts" the UK will face from climate change.

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Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "This valuable new research will highlight the damaging impact that climate change will have around the UK and show the need for urgent action to cut emissions.

"The UK Government must take tougher action on climate change - and show real leadership by example ahead of crucial climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December."

Thursday's study builds on research published in 2002, which predicted hotter, drier summers and milder, wetter winters, rising sea levels and an increase in storm events. Warming temperatures will lead to an increased risk of flooding, health issues such as deaths from heatwaves and loss of habitat for wildlife, scientists warn.

2009 © Press Association

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More troops head to Afghanistan
The exercise involved up to 3,500 soldiers and Royal Marines, including a working dog support unit.

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