Marine climate change on the increase
16 January 2008
Climate change is having a significant impact on our marine
environment, according to a new report that is being welcomed by
the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).
The Marine Climate Change Impacts
Partnership (MCCIP) Report Card 2007-08 highlights how
much climate change has affected the United Kingdom’s marine
environment, and what the future impacts may be.
Emma Verling, a Marine Ecologist for
JNCC said:
“Healthy seas are central to global
well-being, as they influence our climate as well as providing food
and livelihoods for the human population. This MCCIP report
highlights the value of working together to identify ways in which
climate change impacts the marine environment, and in finding
viable solutions to the challenges presented.
“The Report Card paints a
realistic picture, thanks to the quality of data and expertise
involved, and JNCC is keen to work with MCCIP in playing a role to
encourage us all understand what we need to do to tackle climate
change.”
JNCC’s Head of Marine Habitats,
David Connor said of the report:
"Climate change has become the
number one environmental issue across the world; and its potential
impact on our seas and oceans is hugely important to us as an
island nation. It is therefore extremely pleasing to see the second
annual Report Card launched by the UK's Marine Climate
Change Impacts Partnership, as this brings together the scientific
evidence on impacts into such a readily understandable summary
report."
Key findings from the report
published on 16 January 2008 include:
- 2006 was the second warmest year for
UK coastal waters since records began in 1870; seven of the 10
warmest years have been in the last decade.
- Warmer winters have been strongly
linked to reduced breeding success and survival in some seabird
populations.
- Models predict fewer storms in
future, but there will be increased numbers of severe storms.
- Coastal erosion and flooding is
expected to increase.
- Marine climate change is having a
significant impact on the marine environment and the goods and
services it provides.
- Coastal erosion is occurring along 17
per cent of the UK coastline (30 per cent of England’s coastline;
23 per cent of Wales; 20 per cent of Northern Ireland; 12 per cent
Scotland).
- Recent warmer conditions and
associated shifts in the abundance and geographical distribution of
plankton have led to reduced availability of prey fish for some
seabirds, which has been strongly linked to recent poor breeding
success and reduced survival rates.
- The impacts of climate change on the
commercial services provided by our seas will be significant.
Sea-level rise, coastal flooding, storms and bigger waves will
affect ports, shipping and built structures. Fishing and fish
farming will be affected by temperature change and plankton (prey)
availability.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. The Joint Nature Conservation
Committee (JNCC) is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and
international nature conservation, on behalf of the Council for
Nature Conservation and the Countryside, the Countryside Council
for Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage. Its work
contributes to maintaining and enriching biological diversity,
conserving geological features and sustaining natural systems
2. The launch of the annual
Report Card was hosted by the Scottish
Government. Contributing scientists, key decision makers and
a wide range of marine environment stakeholders were invited to a
launch held on Wednesday 16 January at Victoria Quay,
Edinburgh.
3. Detailed briefings on all the
topics covered in the report card can be found on the MCCIP website
www.mccip.org.uk/arc . The MCCIP
Secretariat is contactable on 01502 524508 or
4. The Marine Climate Change Impacts
Partnership (MCCIP) was launched in March 2005 and is a partnership
between scientists, Government, its agencies, and NGOs. The
principal aim is to develop a long term approach to understanding
and communicating the implications of climate change in our
seas.
5. Sponsoring partners are: Defra,
Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government, Department of the
Environment Northern Ireland, Environment Agency, Natural England,
Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Environment Protection
Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, States of Guernsey, States of
Jersey, WWF – UK.
For further information
please contact:
Communications Team, JNCC
Tel: 01733 866839
Fax: 01733 555948
Email: