Impacts on the UK
Many people around the country don’t need to be told about the increase in floods. In August 2004, the people of Boscastle, Devon, were swamped after heavy downpours flooded the village.
The terrible scene of people being rescued by helicopter would become all too familiar a sight if sea levels rose. Some scientists have predicted that London could become engulfed under water. The Environment Agency says £4bn could be needed to prevent the Thames flooding in the interim.
Scientists also predict Birmingham could become a seaside resort! The Midlands city has already seen freak weather, blamed by some on climate change. In July and October 2005, it was hit by two mini-tornados that ripped roofs off dozens of homes. The nearby town of Dudley suffered an earthquake that measured 5.0 on the Richter scale in September 2002.