Climate change could increase tourism income in Plymouth
SPENDING on tourism is forecast to rocket in Plymouth and the rest of the region as a result of climate change, according to an assessment conducted for the Government.
The boost to the visitor industry is among the opportunities highlighted as a result of rising temperatures in the report.
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But the number of potential benefits are outweighed by the number of threats, including water shortages.
While the number of cold related deaths in winter are due to fall, there are also forecast to be an increase in fatalities caused by the heat, especially among vulnerable and elderly groups.
Significant lengths of road and rail network are also projected to be at increased risk of flooding, and staff hours lost due to overheated office buildings.
But according to the first comprehensive assessment of climate change, tourism spending is forecast to increase three fold in the South West over the coming decades to £1.5 billion a year.
It points out by the 2050s a large part of the region will achieve an 'ideal' score based on the Tourism Climate Index (TCI).
Farming could also benefit from the warmer seasons with more continental produce being grown such as vines.
And there may be new fishing opportunities with some species such as plaice and sole becoming more abundant, although other types such as cod and haddock may move way.
The £2.8 million assessment study, a legal requirement under the Climate Change Act, highlights 100 threats the UK could face from global warming if no action such as a new flood defences, were taken to cope with the changing climate.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "This world class research provides the most comprehensive case yet on why we need to take action to adapt the UK and our economy to the impacts of climate change.
"It shows what life would be like if we stopped our preparations now, and the consequences such a decision would mean for our economic stability."
She said the assessment would be vital in understanding what needed to be done to stop potential threats becoming a reality, and provided opportunities for British firms to develop innovative products and services to tackle the risks.
Lord Krebs, chairman of the group which advises the Government on adapting to climate change, said: "Without an effective plan to prepare for the risks from climate change the country may sleepwalk into disaster. This report represents an important step in the process and demonstrates why the UK needs to take action to adapt now."
The study looked at the implications of the kind of changes the UK is likely to see to its weather, from hotter summers to more extreme weather events The report will feed into a national programme to adapt to climate change which will be published next year.
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by Arfurmo
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 12:08PM
“I can just see it now, Thousands of warm climate seeking visitors enjoying the high priced coach accompanying open top bus tours with stupendous views photographing 'babcocks' secret dockyard bathed in a heat providing smoky mush, such smoke intended as a heating fascility, whilst log jammed waste juggernauts next to north yard via for position whilst pushing out from their toxic hot perfumed gases from well worn exhausts. Every tourist/traveller, wearing a gas mask and plastic mackintosha gobsmacked at the sight of a giant chimney stack belching out warm environmental destroying fumes, floating gently down on the convoy and the rest of the blighted area, Here then is a picnic area with large signs of German design saying -"dont leave your litter here."”
by timplymouth
Saturday, January 28 2012, 12:34PM
“The planet may have gone through many different temperature changes, GreenGOM, but when that happens lots of species do not survive. Different areas become inhabbitable and uninhabitable, the cost of moving huge numbers of people will be very high. We can't afford to just let man made global warming carry on.”
by GreenGOM
Saturday, January 28 2012, 11:32AM
“This government seem obsessed with climate change. The planet has gone through many cooling and warming phases throughout its history and this is just one of them. We now have the intelligence to manipulate it for taxation purposes. I guess we're not actually as intelligent as we think we are to be taken in by the biggest con in history.”
by Arfurmo
Saturday, January 28 2012, 9:35AM
“Vivien Pengelly listing The Incinerators as a success story along withthe Americas cup. Perhaps she sees global warming playing its part by way of the 'Trojan Horse' incinerator not only providing a heating gift for the dockyard but a comfort for elder citizens during the winter. The warm toxic air along with the fumes of 264 juggernauts 24/7 sucked down Plymouth chimneys replacing the high cost gas and electric fires soon to be cut up and stored along with the nuclear subs hot parts. Its a Mad,Mad world.”
by Bavaria
Friday, January 27 2012, 10:45PM
“After a little thought.
This item has been posted by an IDIOT.”
by Bavaria
Friday, January 27 2012, 8:54PM
“Wikki "Peak oil"”
by mcspredder
Friday, January 27 2012, 8:42PM
“Great. All these tourists will be able to float right into Royal Parade on the higher waters and just as well as there would be gridlock on the A38 as the only viable way to get here, with the railway underwater at Dawlish.
Perhaps that's the reason for there being little sign of panic in building flood defences and not the fact that all this global warming is a myth.”
by Peter20113
Friday, January 27 2012, 4:24PM
“Wow - loads of people who are on my side. My faith in the cynicism of people relating to the climate change myth is totally made my day.”
by Winstonsmith0
Friday, January 27 2012, 4:07PM
“@arfurmo
they have been successful in their own country - they import toxic waste from Australia at massive profit and their Corbach incinerator leaked enough mercury into the local atmosphere to wipe out (according to online stats) up to 600 people . . . and they got away with it.
Didn't you see Paul Carey squirming when he was asked about that on BBC TV????? Skeletons in cupboards and all that.
I guess that is how MVV rate 'success'”
by thebannedone
Friday, January 27 2012, 3:51PM
“When you take an average you remove the extremes. You cannot compare the two.
There is more global warming as a result of the fatuous hot air being generated over this, Scottish independance, City of culture, sex-in-the-city licencing, closure of the airport, Abercrombie 1946 mentality than the effect of CO2 on the environment - at least that is buffered by our proximity to the Atlantic.”