Research shouldn’t just focus on climate change’s impact, but how it may be exacerbated and what actions can be taken to mitigate global warming. This could lead to more problems, according to researchers at the University of East Anglia. Research findings published in Nature Climate Change (citation above) show that adaptation to climate change can add pressures to and threaten both the local and regional ecosystems. Professor Carlo Fezzi from the School of Environmental Sciences of UEA is leading researcher. He said that climate change was a bit more complex than previously believed. Not only must we consider the immediate impact of climate changes, but how humans will react to it – that is the effect of adaptation. Steps to adapt to climate disruption could have their own problems. Image: University of East Anglia. “This adds a new dimension to climate change adaptation.” Dr. Fezzi and his colleagues collected and analysed data about the interactions between river water quality and agricultural land use. Both of these will be greatly affected by climate changes. The team analyzed over half a million records on river quality and land usage covering all of Britain. A temperature increase of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius would be beneficial for British agriculture. This is especially true in the Eastern Uplands, Midlands and Midlands where higher crop yields will allow more livestock. There would be losses in some areas, particularly the East, due to reduced precipitation. Dr. Fezzi stated that “Intensification of agricultural practices as a response to climate change will create new environmental pressures.” Changes in agriculture will impact water quality, as they increase nitrates or phosphates levels in rivers and streams. “This will be especially true in the east uplands and middlelands. Temperature rises will enable significant increases in agricultural production. This will make it more difficult to meet the EU’s water quality standards. The multifaceted impacts of adaptation Water quality will be affected as well as water availability, biodiversity and carbon policies. Wildlife will also suffer. The adaptation of climate change will affect other sectors of society, including health, energy demand and production, forestry and fisheries. Every adaptation is going to have its problems. Researchers stressed that adaptation isn’t necessarily bad and should not be discouraged. They just suggest that we ensure adaptations are environmentally responsible. Dr. Fezzi stated that climate change is a slow-moving process, and science can help us predict its effects on society and the environment. It should be encouraged to develop forward-looking policy. Preventive measures are better than curative. Citation: Dr. Carlo Fezzi and Dr. AmiiHarwood discuss “The environmental impacts of climate change adaptation upon land use and water quality.” Prof. Andrew Lovett, Prof. Ian Bateman, and Dr. AmiiHarwood. Nature Climate Change. DOI: 10. 1038/nclimate2525.
New study: Adapting to climate changes has repercussions
