Why do we need offshore windfarms?

Mitigate the effects of climate change in the UK

The UK will be affected by changes in global climate as sea levels rise. Our marine environment will regulate the country from more extreme climatic changes but winters will become warmer and wetter and summers will become hotter and drier.

Rainfall is likely to be heavier and gales more common. By 2020 Cornwall may experience a climate similar to the south of France and Manchester may become more like Cornwall. UK climate change may lead to droughts in summer and flooding in winter.

Some wildlife habitats will prosper from the changes, such as lowland bogs and heath, whereas others, such as oak and beech woodland of the Southeast will suffer. Consequentially, some wildlife species, for example nightingales, will thrive whilst others, such as the brown trout, may suffer. Agriculture will differ as hot summers might encourage the cultivation of sunflowers and vineyards and wet winters will aid potato growing. However, there may also be soil erosion during hot dry summers and flooding in the winters and an increased incidence of pests that survive the warmer winters.

As sea levels rise low-lying farmland will be lost, as the soil becomes too salty for cultivation. Human health may be affected with fewer cold-related deaths but an increase in heat-stroke and smog-related asthma. Climate change in the UK is certain but the extent of its effects is unknown.

It is best to take the precautionary approach and try to minimise the potential effects by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Producing and using renewable energy is one way to do this and offshore wind farms are one method to make this happen.

External links
Environment Agency

UK Climate Impacts Programme

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