Heat

The world is warming. The last 7 years have been the warmest on record. In Southern England, this means a background of mild winters and warmer summers, with increasing ‘hottest temperatures’ and increasing hot spells (maximum daytime temperatures exceeding 30 °C for two or more consecutive days.) What will climate change look like for Milford on sea? Check this interactive visual from the BBC to see!

If temperatures are increasing, why are summers often windy, cloudy and cold? As there is more energy in the climate system, this also means more wind, rain and storms. This is explained in more detail in the ‘Rain and Storms’ post.

Are hotter summers and warmer winters a good thing? We are a coastal community, and hotter summers give us the glorious days when Hurst Spit feels like a mediterranean dream. Warmer winters may mean that we don’t need to heat our homes so much, a positive for emissions levels. Whilst a warmer climate may mean we are able to sustain vineyards and pepper crops, it also means lower soil moisture, leading to draught for crops and water shortages for people and animals. Combined with the trend in increasing heavy, sudden rainfall, dry soils are at risk of erosion and run-off, particularly if thirsty plants are weakened and roots less able to bind the soil. There is also a knock-on effect for our cliffs as dry cliffs subject to heavy rain are more likely to erode.

Hotter summers increase health risks from heat stroke, whilst warmer winters encourage the survival of pathogens, and insects which carry vector bourne diseases such as malaria.

The greatest risk is to local ecosystems. A drier New Forest is at greater risk of forest fires, warming temperatures increase disease and pathogens that affect plant and animal species, and warmer winters change migration and hibernation patterns. This winter, MCV spotted hedgehogs in January, a time when they should be hibernating. Early rise from hibernation means they may not have suffiecient food to survive, or may be hit by a deadly cold snap later. As documented by the NFPA, decline in ecosystem health means reduced ability to sequester carbon and support life.

What can we do?

Supporting local ecosystem health whilst reducing GHG emissions is the best way to protect against the risks associated with warming seasons. Planting trees provides shade for species and soils, roots lock in soil underground and absoarb heavy rainfall, protecting against soil erosion.

Leaving grass to grow long encourages insects, pollinators and hedgehogs to find shelter, shade and food, particularly if flowering plants (dandelions, clover) are allowed to grow.

Rainwater harvesting systems and rainwater butts are a great way to reduce water stress in times of draught, and having a small bowl, bird bath, water feature or pond in the garden supports birds and pollinators when it is really hot.

For more detail on risks and adaptation measures, see this Carbon Brief report.