Climate Change Strategy Falls Short, Says Moray Councillor

Strategic Insights -

A recent storm that brought winds of 90mph and widespread destruction has highlighted the urgent need for action to address climate change, according to Moray councillor, Draeyk van der Horn. The councillor has expressed concerns that the Climate Change Strategy being presented to the local authority this month is not sufficient, and that more needs to be done to protect communities from the devastating effects of global warming. "We must act on climate change now - for the sake of our communities, our ecosystems, and generations to come," said Cllr Van der Horn. "The consequences are already here; the question is whether we have the courage to respond."

Key Takeaways:

  • The recent storm that hit Moray, with winds of up to 90mph, has highlighted the urgent need for action to address climate change, according to Cllr Van der Horn.
  • The Climate Change Strategy being presented to the local authority this month is not sufficient, according to the councillor, and more needs to be done to protect communities from the devastating effects of global warming.
  • The storm was one of the latest in a growing pattern of extreme and unpredictable weather events across the UK, fueled by rising global temperatures and an increasingly unstable climate.
  • Hundreds of trees were brought down, properties damaged, and roads blocked during the storm, with many areas experiencing rare summer storms.
  • The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has revised its flood predictions, with their "1-in-200-year" models becoming inaccurate due to the pace of climate change.
  • UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) underestimate the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, with new data from UKCP18 indicating flood peaks could be 10 to 26 per cent higher than previously assumed.
  • The planet has breached the Paris Accord of 1.5 degrees, aimed at reducing the trajectory of climatic and social upheaval.

Statistics:

  • 90mph wind speeds were recorded during the recent storm.
  • Hundreds of trees were brought down, with many mature trees lost in Grant Park.
  • Properties damaged and roads blocked during the storm.
  • UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) underestimate extreme weather events by an unknown margin.
  • UKCP18 indicates flood peaks could be 10 to 26 per cent higher than previously assumed.
  • 1.5 degrees is the temperature threshold established in the Paris Accord.

Sources:

  • Cllr Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Green)
  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
  • UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09)
  • UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18)
  • Paris Accord of 1.5 degrees