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COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. Clive Bowman Clim-ATIC project coordinator. UHI Science Day Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Friday 5th September 2008. A Project part-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund. www.clim-atic.org. www.live-the-solution.com.
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COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE Clive Bowman Clim-ATIC project coordinator UHI Science DayPickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall, Friday 5th September 2008 A Project part-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund www.clim-atic.org
Causes of climate change * * IPCC 2007 “It is very likely that greenhouse gas forcing has been the dominant cause of the observed warming of globally averaged temperatures in the last 50 years”
Scottish Green House Gas Emissions Public 2% Land use change and Forestry emissions 8% Waste 1% Energy 37% Residential 11% Agricultural 12% Business 12% Transport 17% Contribution of each sector to Scottish GHG Emissions of GHGs in 2003 Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013: Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environmental Report
Its already happening! And its going to get worse! “Climate change is evident in Scotland from observed trends in temperature, rainfall and snow cover.”“Much of the change in climate over the next 30 to 40 years is already determined by past and present emissions, so it is important that Scotland prepares itself for the inevitable impacts.” SEPA’s State of the Environment Report 2006
average spring, summer and winter temperatures have risen by more than 1°C since 1961 Change in mean temperature (°C) based on a linear trend, 1961–2004 SEPA’s State of the Environment Report 2006
Difference from average with respect to 1961-90 Difference from average with respect to 1971-2000 Source: Met Office Hadley Centre and UEA Climatic Research Unit 2007
Some parts of north-west Scotland have become up to 45% drier in summer Scotland has become much wetter since 1961 with: • an increase in average winter precipitation of almost 60% in the north and west; • an increase in average annual precipitation of 20% for the whole country. Change in precipitation (%) based on a linear trend, 1961–2004C5 SEPA’s State of the Environment Report 2006
high winter flow frequencies on western source rivers have increased over the past two decades Changes in winter river flows at selected locations SEPA’s State of the Environment Report 2006
CO2 EMISSION PROFILES under IPCC scenarios The IS92a scenario used by the IPCC is the business as usual scenario
Global mean annual temperature changes relative to 1980 – 1999 (ºC) for IPCC scenarios 5.2 5.8
Vegetation of the Arctic: current conditions and projected changes under the IS92a scenario for 2090-2100
Table of climate change impacts for Scotland taken from SEPA’s State of the Environment Report 2006
Communities are on the front line! How can they adapt?
The Clim-ATIC project 2.35 Million Euro Understanding climate change adaptation at a community levelfor northern regions European Regional Development Fund’s Northern Periphery Programme 2007 - 2013. www.clim-atic.org A Project part-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund
5 participating regions in Clim-ATIC Uummannaq Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Kolari, Lapland Illulissat Iceland County of Vasterbotten, and Åre Sisimiut Flora, Sogn og Fjordane Faroe Islands Glen Urquhart and the Cairngorms National Park
Adaptation to Climate change impacts anticipatory or reactive? The earlier we start adapting, the better equipped we will be to cope with higher temperatures, increased rainfall and the other potential changes. Adapting to climate change is a process. It needs to be built in to our normal planning and risk management processes, whether in business, government or community. Having the ability to adapt is called ‘adaptive capacity’ and this is increased through: • knowledge • experience • resources
Socio-economic development Changes in natural systems Climate Change Impacts Advantages Disadvantages Adaptive capacity Mitigation Adaptation Opportunities Threats Decision making Diagram adapted from Finland’s National Adaptation Strategy (2005)
Knowledge sources climate models and data + socio-economic data + local knowledge Current climate Current society Future climate change scenarios Future social change scenarios Community Vulnerability Scenarios
Knowledge communication and use Climate change impact visualisations Community adaptation action plans Community / stakeholder brainstorming meetings
Building adaptation knowledge with communities 11 to 18 year olds in the Cairngorms National Park
Adaptation demonstration projects Dog sledge adaptations in Greenland
Climate change tourism and sustainable accommodation huts in Greenland
The Clim-ATIC project www.clim-atic.org A Project part-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund www.clim-atic.org