Saturday 20 March 2021

Summertime (and the Living Ain't Easy)

A study combining historical data and modelling, estimates that (unless things quickly change), by 2100 in the Northern Hemisphere, Summers will be 166 days long and Winters reduced to 31 days (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/mar/20/summers-could-last-for-half-the-year-by-2100-climate-crisis). In the study, Summer was defined as the 'season' with 25% of the hottest temperatures. Winter was that time with 25% of the coldest temperatures. In the Northern Hemisphere, Summer in 2100 would consequently be twice as long as that experienced in the 1950's. An 'everlasting' Summer, might sound wonderful to some folk. It would, however, be a time of extreme heatwaves (with their associated deaths), water shortages and wildfires. Things would be even worse in the Mediterranean area and on the Tibetan Plateau (this is the area that supplies the rivers flowing into Asia). These are the regions predicted to show the greatest climate-related changes by 2100. Worldwide, there would be devastating consequences for agriculture and our ability to feed ourselves. The effects on biodiversity would also be horrendous. It makes me quite nostalgic for the 1950's!

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