climate change

Gardening in the Global Greenhouse

Climate change is not something about to happen. It is something which is already here and is accelerating at a rate not previously experienced in the Earth’s recent history. The two main trends are steady increases in mean temperature and a reduction in annual precipitation.

Annual mean temperatures have increased by 1.7 Degrees Celsius since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. 1 Degree Celsius of this increase has occurred in the 20th century, with the last decade being the warmest on record.

The (UKCIP) UK Climate Impacts Programme suggest that annual temperatures in the UK will increase by 2 - 4 Degrees Celsius by the 2080s, with increases in the south east greater than those in the north west. These increases will be associated with more hot and very hot days and less frost and snow.

The UKCIP also suggests that annual precipitation will decrease, while the year to year variation in precipitation will increase. The result will be an increased frequency of very dry summers and milder, but wetter winters.

More in-depth information on Climate change and how it will impact gardening in the UK is provided by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).