DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (08/08) issued by
The Government News Network on 16 January 2008
ISSUED ON BEHALF
OF THE MARINE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS PARTNERSHIP
Climate change is having a significant impact on our marine
environment according to a new report.
The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) report card
2007-08 highlights just how much climate change has affected the
United Kingdom's marine environment and what the future
impacts may be.
Key findings from the report published today 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.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard
Lochhead said:
"Climate change, including marine climate change, is one of
the most serious threats facing us today. It is a truly global
issue and can only be tackled if we work together. Our seas play
a vital role in regulating our climate and are a lifeline for the
communities that live around them.
"Our winters are getting wetter and warmer, sea levels are
rising and coastal erosion is increasing. Our marine wildlife is
now having to cope with these as well as other pressures, and is
beginning to suffer as a result. Our marine industries also have
to cope with changes. These are happening now and we must take action.
"We will shortly be publishing our consultation on proposals
for a Scottish Climate Change Bill, including a mandatory target
to achieve an 80 per cent reduction in Scottish emissions by 2050.
"The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnershop (MCCIP)
annual report card paints a disturbing picture. But MCCIP are
playing a vital role in helping us understand what we need to do
to tackle the problem of climate change."
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs, said:
"The report card is a vital piece in the jigsaw of evidence
we need to help us to combat climate change.
"Healthy seas are central to our wellbeing, shaping our
climate as well as providing food and livelihoods.
"The MCCIP project shows the value of working together to
protect the marine environment and to find sustainable solutions
to the challenges we all face."
Other key findings from the report include:
* 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 NEWS EDITORS
1. The launch of this Annual Report Card is being hosted by the
Scottish Government. Contributing scientists, key decision makers
and a wide range of marine environment stakeholders have been
invited to the launch on Wednesday 16 January at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh.
Media are also invited to attend. The details are:
11:40 - 12:00 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the
Environment Richard Lochhead, Minister for Transport,
Infastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson and Minister
for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs Jonathan Shaw will be
available for interview.
12:00 - 13:00 Launch of the report card.
2. Detailed briefings on all the topics covered in the report
card can be found on the MCCIP website http://www.mccip.org.uk/arc
The MCCIP Secretariat is contactable on 01502 524 508 and office@mccip.org.uk
3. 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.
4. 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
Scottish Government: Julie Grant
St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
http://www.scotland.gov.uk