The world is changing, and we need to change with it. The impacts of climate change are already being felt all over the world.
Here in Cornwall, we have experienced unprecedented back-to-back named storms, heatwaves, flash floods and unseasonable weather in the last few years.
This more extreme weather poses a challenge to how we travel and feed ourselves and keeping Cornwall safe for future generations.
Cornwall Council has commissioned a ground-breaking report that details how the region will be impacted by climate change.
Cornwall Council is the first authority in the country to publish a Climate Risk Assessment Report. Cornwall's Risk Assessment is complimented by regional, national and international assessments of the impacts of climate change.
The report has been produced by a Cornwall-based climate science consultancy called Climate Change Risk Management (CCRM). Led by Professor Stephan Harrison, CCRM is made up of scientists working at the forefront of climate change science and policy. Many of the scientists contribute to reports for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment Report underlines the need to act now to reduce emission and tackle climate risks. It highlights key potential changes for Cornwall, including:
- The highest potential sea level rises around the UK by the end of the century
- The possibility of more high impact flooding like the flash floods in Boscastle (2004) and Coverack (2017)
- Stronger storms and higher wind speeds
- Faster coastal erosion
- More heatwaves and severe droughts.
Read the Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment Reports
Summary
Section 1 Executive summary
Section 2 Cornwall's Climate Profile
Section 3 Hydrology and Water Supplies
Section 4 The Natural Environment
Section 5 Health, Wellbeing and Infrastructure
More information
The Council has developed a Local Climate Adaptation Tool to help decision makers to understand the health implications of climate change. Developed in partnership with the University of Exeter, 'Then Try This' and the Alan Turing Institute. It also helps them to prepare for these implications.
The Council is also developing a Climate Risk Adaptation Strategy. This will help Cornwall prepare for changes outlined in the Climate Risk Assessment Report. We will share that here, once it has been finalised.
What you can do to help
While the whole world needs to adapt, in Cornwall we have an opportunity to lead the way in demonstrating what is possible. The sooner we change, the sooner we can create a Cornwall that provides a clean, prosperous and fair future for all.
As a council we have a leading role to play in the climate emergency. But we cannot deliver these ambitious outcomes alone. We will need support from all of our residents. From our communities, businesses, schools, public sector partners, the voluntary sector and many more. You have an important role to play in making change happen. Not just as residents, but in your working lives too.
Visit our Carbon Neutral Cornwall Ideas Bank for low carbon living suggestions.
This is just the start of the journey - please join us in tackling the climate emergency
The world is changing, and we need to change with it. The impacts of climate change are already being felt all over the world.
Here in Cornwall, we have experienced unprecedented back-to-back named storms, heatwaves, flash floods and unseasonable weather in the last few years.
This more extreme weather poses a challenge to how we travel and feed ourselves and keeping Cornwall safe for future generations.
Cornwall Council has commissioned a ground-breaking report that details how the region will be impacted by climate change.
Cornwall Council is the first authority in the country to publish a Climate Risk Assessment Report. Cornwall's Risk Assessment is complimented by regional, national and international assessments of the impacts of climate change.
The report has been produced by a Cornwall-based climate science consultancy called Climate Change Risk Management (CCRM). Led by Professor Stephan Harrison, CCRM is made up of scientists working at the forefront of climate change science and policy. Many of the scientists contribute to reports for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment Report underlines the need to act now to reduce emission and tackle climate risks. It highlights key potential changes for Cornwall, including:
- The highest potential sea level rises around the UK by the end of the century
- The possibility of more high impact flooding like the flash floods in Boscastle (2004) and Coverack (2017)
- Stronger storms and higher wind speeds
- Faster coastal erosion
- More heatwaves and severe droughts.
Read the Cornwall Climate Risk Assessment Reports
Summary
Section 1 Executive summary
Section 2 Cornwall's Climate Profile
Section 3 Hydrology and Water Supplies
Section 4 The Natural Environment
Section 5 Health, Wellbeing and Infrastructure
More information
The Council has developed a Local Climate Adaptation Tool to help decision makers to understand the health implications of climate change. Developed in partnership with the University of Exeter, 'Then Try This' and the Alan Turing Institute. It also helps them to prepare for these implications.
The Council is also developing a Climate Risk Adaptation Strategy. This will help Cornwall prepare for changes outlined in the Climate Risk Assessment Report. We will share that here, once it has been finalised.
What you can do to help
While the whole world needs to adapt, in Cornwall we have an opportunity to lead the way in demonstrating what is possible. The sooner we change, the sooner we can create a Cornwall that provides a clean, prosperous and fair future for all.
As a council we have a leading role to play in the climate emergency. But we cannot deliver these ambitious outcomes alone. We will need support from all of our residents. From our communities, businesses, schools, public sector partners, the voluntary sector and many more. You have an important role to play in making change happen. Not just as residents, but in your working lives too.
Visit our Carbon Neutral Cornwall Ideas Bank for low carbon living suggestions.
This is just the start of the journey - please join us in tackling the climate emergency
