Many observers believe the recent failures will mean nothing, suggesting the cuts in emissions proposed under Kyoto fell between 10 and 15 short of meaningful action and Kyoto will soon be obsolete. The one issue on which there seemed little debate was over evidence for the science of climate change. And as we all recently discovered, that evidence is hardening all the time. Britain looks sets to feel increases in temperature of up to 3 degrees by 2050. Coupled with even greater rises in Southern Europe and the rest of the world, this will mean serious changes to our way of life.
Scientists predict summers to become warmer while winters become far wetter.
The extremes of weather recently experienced look likely to become common feature as climate change takes hold. The UK environment agency has warned that Britain could become a flooding hotspot. The problem is not just due to climate change but also changes in land use. The spread of human settlement and accompanying roads, concrete, steel and railways all contribute to limiting where floodwater can soak away. Houses are now built on land which would previously allowed water drainage.