Climate change and Wrexham.
It’s beyond doubt that Wrexham will be affected by the impacts of climate change. To
what extent, it is difficult to know exactly, but research into the potential impacts has
been thorough and extensive. Wrexham, and Wales, will not escape.
Climate refers to the average weather experienced over a long period, typically 30 years.
The Earth’s climate has always changed. The problem is it is now changing very quickly,
at a rate never before experienced. It’s an accepted fact that human activity is the
primary reason for this increase.
Changes as small as a 2°C increase will have serious impacts – rising sea levels,
droughts and heavy rainfall – leading to disruption to natural and man-made habitats, not
to mention our businesses and our everyday lives. Wrexham, like many communities
across Wales, may struggle to cope with the effects of unbearably hot summers, wetter
winters and devastating floods.
So what’s happening?
Carbon dioxide and other gases – known collectively as ‘greenhouse gases’ – act as a
barrier that increases the amount of heat from the sun trapped in the atmosphere. Since
the industrial revolution, concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have
increased as we have burnt more and more fossil fuels. This has led to an overall
warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.
However, there are inevitable climate change impacts that we cannot change. The
greenhouse gases that have already been released are out there in the atmosphere and
they are not going anywhere – the impacts of these are set in stone, we just have to
adapt to them the best we can. But we can take action to cut gases from this point on
and tackle some of the worst impacts of climate change, as well as adapting the
inevitable impacts that we now cannot change.
Climate change headlines
How exactly will Wales be affected by climate change? Research from the Welsh
Assembly and the UKCP (UK Climate Projections 2009) has resulted in detailed climate
change scenarios. These are based on different levels of emissions – the impacts that
follow are taken from the ‘medium’ emissions scenario.
Average temperature changes: overall, the annual average temperature in Wales is
set to increase 1.3°C by the 2020s, 2.0°C by the 2040s and 3.3°C by the 2080s (against
a 1961 to 1990 average.
Summer maximum temperatures: average maximum summer temperatures could
increase by 1.9°C by the 2020s, 2.8°C by the 2040s and 4.8°C by the 2080s. This might
not sound a lot but it will lead to uncomfortably hot summers that we’re just not prepared
for – from getting too hot at work to a increase in heat-related deaths, this rise in
temperatures will be a serious problem.
Winter minimum temperatures: average minimum winter temperatures could increase
by 1.5°C by the 2020s, 2.1°C by the 2040s and 3.5°C by the 2080s.
Summer rainfall: average summer rainfall will decrease by 7% by the 2020s, 12% by
the 2040s and 20% by the 2080s. This will mean water shortages in summer with
hosepipe bans and droughts making life more difficult – couple this with the
uncomfortable high temperatures and summer won’t be something to look forward to.
Winter rainfall: average winter rainfall will increase significantly over time, largely as a
result of increased storminess leading to intense, but shortlived, rainfall events.
These increases will be by around 7% by the 2020s, 11% by the 2040s and 19% by the
2080s. We’ve already experienced flooding in the region but this would become more
and more common. We’re not prepared to cope with floods – think how disruptive it is
now and that can only get worse.
What will this mean for us?
These scenarios could lead to dramatic changes in our climate, but how will they affect
our everyday lives? Let’s take a look at some of the predicted impacts:
Hotter summers may cause more health problems due to heatwaves, UV exposure and
air pollution. It will also be uncomfortably hot at home, in work and when you’re out and
about. More rainfall could cause health problems related to flooding and mean that
infectious diseases spread much more quickly. This will increase the burden on
Wrexham hospitals and health centres as the NHS is likely to come under more
pressure.
Working conditions may become uncomfortable by hotter summers, particularly in urban
areas like the town centre. This is caused by the ’urban heat island’ effect that increases
the temperature in urban areas because of the concentration of building materials, such
as concrete and asphalt, which retain and radiate heat, and the lack of vegetation and
green spaces which help to cool areas.
Like many places in the UK, Wrexham has experienced water shortages in recent years.
Less rainfall in the summer will lead to pressure on water resources at certain points in
the year. There would be more demand for water in summer so we will need to increase
the storage of rainwater in winter.
Extreme rainfall events will lead to increased flooding from rivers and surface water and,
in turn, to the disruption of businesses, economic losses and an increase in floodingrelated insurance claims
Industry in Wrexham needs to be protected from extreme weather conditions. Agriculture
is a hugely important to the region, but could suffer from waterlogged fields due to heavy
rainfall and the logistical difficulties that brings. There may not be respite in the hot
summer months either, as droughts prevent crops from flourishing.
Pests and diseases usually associated with warmer climates (such as blue tongue) will
become an increasing problem for agriculture, forestry and livestock in our rural
communities.
Non-native species of plants and animals are likely to become more widespread as the
Welsh climate changes.
Hotter, drier summers will result in low river flows and higher water temperatures, which
may have an adverse impact on freshwater ecosystems.
The coastal and lowland zones, estuaries (such as the Dee), saltmarshes and sand
dunes may be affected by storms and sea level rise.
We can still make a difference. The answer is People Power
The economic, social and environmental impacts of climate change will affect our way of
life. We will all need to adapt to this new way of living. Taking action now can help to
mitigate the effects of climate change. People power – both big and small – really can
slow down climate change and even lessen its impact. Let’s show the world that
Wrexham is taking the lead!