Our region has seen significant flood events over the last few years, most notably during the summer of 2007 where large parts of South Yorkshire, Hull and Humberside, and York were badly affected, causing £2.1 billion worth of damage. There have also been record high temperatures during 2003 and again in 2006.

In recognition of the threat posed by climate change, a number of organisations formed a partnership across the Yorkshire and Humber region to commission a study to better understand climate change, to assess the threats and impacts they pose, and to identify how we need to adapt now to best manage these projected changes and impacts.

This study, the first of its kind in our region, was completed in March 2009 and launched at the Royal York Hotel at an event attended by key decision makers from our region, and a keynote speech by Rt Hon Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment.

The findings from the study are available both as a website (www.adaptyh.co.uk) and now as a printed report. The website and report hold a wealth of data and information about what our region’s climate will look like in 2050 and what we need to do now to adapt to these coming changes

Headline findings from the study are that by 2050:

• Annual average daily temperatures in Yorkshire and Humber will increase by 2°C
• Extreme hot temperatures will increase with summer temperatures more regularly reaching 34°C
• Annual rainfall is expected to decrease by 6 per cent but rainfall patterns will show much greater seasonal variation – there will be 17 per cent more winter rainfall and 25 per cent less summer rainfall than there is now
• There will be a major reduction in winter snowfall with between 49 and 89 per cent fewer snowy days and 50 per cent fewer frost days by 2050
• Sea levels will rise by 0.35m.

The implications of these changes are far-reaching – some will be positive such as a longer growing season for our farmers, but others will be difficult such as higher temperatures affecting public health and creating extra demand for water and energy. The impact of rising sea levels will be a particular issue for Yorkshire and Humber which has over 325,000 properties at risk from sea or river flooding.

We hope that the study will be of use for local government officers tasked with writing climate change strategies and action plans, emergency planners, health care providers, schools and universities, businesses, conservation groups and organisations, individuals and anyone who has an interest in what our region might be like in the coming decades and what we need to do now to adapt to the coming changes in our regional climate.

Weathering the Storm - The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Adaptation Study 

The Yorkshire and Humber Climate Change Partnership brings together the key agencies to drive forward work at a regional level to tackle the cause and effect of climate change. It is the responsibility of the Climate Change Partnership to take forward delivery of the Climate Change Plan including integrating the key adaptation work arising from the Regional Adaptation Study. To find out more please visit www.yourclimate.org.