UK Faces Alarming Climate Shift: Record Heat, Rising Seas, and Urgent Call for Action

July 14, 2025
UK Faces Alarming Climate Shift: Record Heat, Rising Seas, and Urgent Call for Action
  • Climate scientists, including Mike Kendon from the Met Office, emphasize that the most concerning changes are the increases in temperature and rainfall extremes, which are likely to continue and pose serious future risks.

  • The Royal Meteorological Society's latest climate report confirms that the UK has experienced significant warming, with temperatures rising approximately 1.24°C since the baseline period of 1961-1990, at a rate of about 0.25°C per decade.

  • This report, published in the International Journal of Climatology, highlights the profound impact of human-caused global warming on the UK's climate, including notable changes in weather patterns.

  • Extreme weather events have become more frequent, with recent records showing England and Wales experiencing their wettest winter on record from October 2023 to March 2024, alongside rising overall rainfall levels.

  • Climate change is affecting natural ecosystems, with earlier springs and longer growing seasons recorded for various species, indicating shifts in wildlife patterns and seasonal timings.

  • Data from Nature's Calendar confirms that spring events in 2024 occurred earlier than usual, reflecting broader ecological impacts of climate change.

  • Sea levels around the UK are rising faster than the global average, with two-thirds of the increase since the 1900s occurring in the last three decades, heightening coastal flood risks.

  • Energy Secretary Ed Miliband warns that Britain’s way of life is under threat due to these climate impacts, emphasizing the need for urgent action and a transition to clean energy.

  • Miliband criticizes opponents of green policies, asserting that failing to address climate change would betray future generations and jeopardize national sustainability.

  • The government is pushing forward with initiatives to combat climate change, including efforts to restore nature, expand freshwater habitats, and promote sustainable farming practices.

  • Recent years, including 2024, have been among the hottest on record for the UK, with the last three years ranking in the top five warmest since records began in 1884, and 2024 being the fourth warmest.

  • The report also notes that the UK is not only warming but also experiencing increased rainfall, leading to more frequent flooding and other weather-related hazards.

Summary based on 4 sources


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