[ News
| Homes
| Life
| Entertainment
| History
| Science
| Community
| Shop ]
| Sport
| Culture
| Cars
| Money
| Broadband
| Learning
| Health
| Dating
| Games ]
[ Text Only: Homepage ]
[ Graphical: Channel4 Homepage ]
Based on the outcome of the high emissions scenario from the Hadley climate models, here is a sample of the weather that we might experience in spring 2080. The modelers call the high emissions scenario the 'business as normal' scenario. In other words, this is what the weather will be like if we make no effort to curb our effect on global warming.
It's early February in the Midlands and spring has sprung. Daffodils are in full bloom and the trees are soon to blossom. In the Southwest you can get away with putting out the bedding plants now – frosts in February have become a rare occurrence. Global warming has pushed spring back into months where, in the not-too-distant past, blizzards caused havoc and kids went tobogganing – something your grandparents remember fondly.
March and April are considerably warmer than 100 years ago. The spring bank holidays consist of the usual rush to coastal destinations, where many enjoy basking in temperatures up to 25°C.
The increase in temperature has led to a longer growing season, which in southern Britain is almost all year round now. Each degree of annual warming has resulted in a three-week increase in the growing season in the Home Counties. Fresh fruit and vegetables grown outdoors can be had from roadside stalls in the Vale of Evesham from February onwards.
1. Introduction | Rising Temperatures | Predicting Global Warming | Complicating Factors | Predicting 2080 | Spring 2080 | Summer 2080 | Autumn 2080 | Winter 2080 |10. Quick Guides | 11. Find out more | 12. Credits
Graphical version of this page