"We basically have three choices - mitigation,
adaptation, and suffering. We’re going to do some of each. The
question is what the mix is going to be. The more mitigation we do,
the less adaptation will be required, and the less suffering there
will be."
John Holdren, President of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science.
In Oxfams's 2007 report,
Adapting to climate change (new window) ,
we were told changes to our usual weather patterns are and
will continue to affect poor countries the worst. People already
on the brink of starvation with their lives at the mercy of
extreme climates will suffer more. We know this. We also know
effects of a changing climate will be (and possibly are already)
felt locally.
In Suffolk, key UKCIP (UK Climate Impacts Programme) predictions
published in the 2004 report
Living with climate change in the East of
England (new window PDF 507KB) were for:
Increased heavier rainfall events -
with associated increased flood risks, risk to built
environment and transport, more mobilised pollution and crop
damage.
- Longer dry spells - with associated crop, garden and lifestyle
effects.
- Increased sea levels/coastal erosion.
- Increased pressure on wildlife.
These bald predictions hint at increased:
- Floods - heavy rain on dry ground made worse by human hard
surface lifestyles.
- Crop failures - particularly significant in an area where much
of the land is devoted to arable farming.
- Damage to property and belongings through storms and floods and
drought deaths from floods and heat.
- Health problems as more pollutants are mobilised.
- Loss of coastal land.
- Increases in storm surges as the sea rises and East Anglia very
very slowly sinks as the land adjusts to end of the last ice
age.
Indeed the social, environmental and economic costs of
unmitigated climate change could be huge, as indicated in the
Stern Review on the economics of climate change
(new window).
So it is likely that our lifestyles will have to change sooner
or later. The question is will the changes be proactive or
reactive?