Source: http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Cambridgeshire/Cambridge/pictures/1130632
Cambridge is located in the region of the United Kingdom called East Anglia or East of England. A lot of research has been done regarding how this region will be affected if we continue to see climate changes due to global warming.
Temperature projections:
Source: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/uk-impacts/uk-maps/maps/temperature/
Precipitation projections:
Source: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/uk-impacts/uk-maps/maps/precipitation/
For Cambridge, it has been estimated that over the next seventy years the average winter temperature will increase by about 3°C and the possible range is anywhere from 1.6°C to 4.7°C. It has also been estimated that over the next seventy years the average summer temperature will increase approximately 3.6°C and the possible range is anywhere from 1.9°C to 5.9°C. When it comes to precipitation, it is expected that by 2080 the average amount of winter precipitation will increase by about 20% and the possible range is from 4% to 44%. It is also projected that by 2080 the average amount of summer precipitation will decrease by approximately 21% and the possible range is anywhere from decreasing by 45% to increasing by 6%.
It is expected for Cambridge and the surrounding region to become warmer and drier if current trends continue. Increasing temperatures and a greater decrease in summer precipitation than an increase in winter precipitation will result in a more arid climate.
The majority of Cambridge lies below 60m above sea level, leaving the area at risk of being affected by rising sea levels in the distant future. The East Anglia region is sinking due to geologic processes which increases its vulnerability to coastal flooding. Cambridge is located far enough away from the coast, however, that it most likely won't be affected by the slight sea level rise expected to occur over the coming decades. Cambridge is situated in one of the drier regions of the United Kingdom and, as such, is more vulnerable to water shortages and heat waves as the local climate becomes warmer and drier over all. On the other hand, increased precipitation during winter months could result in increased risks of flooding in local rivers. The River Cam runs directly through the city of Cambridge and could become more of a flooding hazard with the increased winter precipitation and with the increased number of extreme rainfall events being experienced during winter months.
While the East Anglia region is mostly rural, Cambridge is one of the more developed portions of the area. The economy of Cambridge, however, is still somewhat reliant on the agricultural industry of the region. The projected climate changes are expected to have a great impact on the large amount of local land used for agriculture. Increasing temperatures and less water available during summer months for agricultural use will impede the region's ability to produce food. Luckily, Cambridge is one of the fastest growing cities within the region and will most likely be able to rely on the local university, the growing local economy, and its increasingly developing city even if the local agricultural industry suffers due to the changing climate.
Cambridge is a prime location for tourism due to its proximity to both London and the east cost of England. Rising sea levels impacting the coast could have a negative impact on the tourism sector of Cambridge's economy.
Mitigation:
The increased risk of extreme rainfall events and subsequent flooding during winters in Cambridge means that the city has begun developing better warning systems so as to ensure the safety of local residents in the event of these storms and disasters. The increased risk of flooding also means that more attention needs to be paid to flood-proofing the new houses and buildings being constructed in the ever-growing city of Cambridge. Houses that are currently located in the flood plain need to be adapted so they are more prepared to withstand a flood.
Source:http://www.ilankelman.org/floodphotos.html
The altered temperatures Cambridge is anticipating are going to have a significant impact on the demand for water within the city. Warmer temperatures in the summertime are going to increase the demand for water during a time when less water is available. So, in order to compensate for that, the city of Cambridge should devise an efficient system to collect and store the increased amount of water expected during wintertime for use during peak demand times throughout the rest of the year. In addition to modifying demand for water, the warmer temperatures will change the year-round energy demand throughout the city. There will be increased demand during summer because of increased air conditioner use and there will be less demand during winter because less energy will be required for heating. In order to mitigate this change in energy demand, Cambridge could invest in developing local renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. If local business and residents utilize more renewable energy sources, they will have more control over their energy usage which will lessen the strain on the major energy providers.
The agricultural industry around Cambridge will be greatly affected by upcoming climate changes. Growing crops will become more of a challenge due to less water in the soil and the altered growing season. The warmer temperatures will create an environment more conducive to pests and, as a result farmers should start looking into new and improved pesticides to avoid massive crop damage. Of course, increased use of pesticides could prove to be the cause of different heath problems for local residents. Farmers should also begin looking into drought-resistant crop varieties now. If farmers begin to take action now, they can avoid costly economic consequences in the future.
Since Cambridge is one of the fastest growing cities within East Anglia, it is vital that developers begin considering the warmer and drier climate expected to become the norm when designing plans for things such as buildings, road systems, waste management systems, and nature conservation. The city should also look into educating local residents on how they can contribute to the effort of adapting to the warmer and drier climate. For example, they could teach residents how to conserve water, save energy, and remain safe during extreme weather events such as heat waves.
References:
[1] - "Living with Climate Change in East of England." <http://www.ukcip.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/PDFs/EoE_summary.pdf>
