Climate Change

The full extent of the impact of climate change will not be apparent within the next decade, with some of the potenially devasting changes likely to be our legacy to the next century.

However, it is becoming more apparent that the climate is changing now, and both the human and the natural environment will experience considerable effects as a result of increasing average global temperatures. Whilst there are some arguments as to the extent to which the change is caused by human activity, particularly through the emission of "greenhouse" gases, there is broad agreement that measurable changes have occured and are continuing and we have only a short space of time in which to react and prepare both mitigation and adaptation measures.

Impacts may be far reaching, with the advent of new pest and disease problems, increased storm events leading to increased coastal erosion and loss of mature in-field and boundary trees, a higher risk of flooding, increased likelihood of summer droughts, species migration and human health impacts. Impacts associated with invasive species, wildlife migration patterns and in some cases the inability of species to move with changing climatic zones may be very challenging to the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the AONB.

Climate change, which will work to reinforce some existing forces for change, will become an increasingly important driver of change within the coastal area of Morecambe Bay. In the longer term it is likely to lead to substantial changes in both the theory and practice of coastal management in the area. The impacts of climate change such as sea level rise and more violent storms will become significant factors within a relatively short timescale.

Effects on the AONB

Of particular concern within the marine environment of the AONB are:  

  • The loss of salt marsh within the innermost part of the foreshore as a result of natural dynamic cycles of erosion and accretion within Morecambe Bay and rising sea levels and resulting "coastal squeeze" where there are engineered sea defences preventing development of dynamic coastlines
  • The development of energy generation proposals to harness the tidal power of Morecambe Bay, with consequent impacts for wildlife and coastal processes in the whole of the north west of England 
  • The increased likelihood of high tide salt water incursion into Leighton Moss and other important low-lying wildlife sites, due to rising sea levels and increased storm surges, which threatens protected habitats and species. 
  • Indirect effects of climate change, may lead to large-scale and damaging changes in the agricultural management of land, with farms switching production to provide biomass and biofuel energy crops, along with proposals such as large scale off-shore or coastal wind farm developments close to the AONB. 

All would have a major impact on the special qualities of the AONB, the views of the area from within the AONB and the loss of open views both towards it from outside and those looking out from the AONB to surrounding countryside.

The AONB Unit will increasingly need to promote a greater understanding of the impacts of climate change on the AONB, and the accompanying need to encourage both residents and visitors to change behaviour and accept adaptation and mitigation measures as necessary to avoid the most serious effects that climate change may bring.

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