Climate change 'will push European cities towards breaking point’

Major British towns and cities, including Glasgow, Wrexham, Aberdeen and Chester, could be much more severely affected by climate change than previously thought, according to new research.

 A rescue boat in a flooded street of Nemours,
 near Paris, France, after downpours in June 2016.

The study, by Newcastle University, analysed changes in flooding, droughts and heatwaves for every European city using all climate models.

Looking at the impact by the year 2050-2100, the team produced results for three possible outcomes – low, medium and high-impact scenarios.

But even the most optimistic case showed 85% of UK cities with a river, including London, would face increased flooding.

In the high-impact scenario, some cities and towns in the UK and Ireland could see the amount of water per flood as much as double. The worst affected is Cork, which could see 115% more water per flooding, while Wrexham, Carlisle, Glasgow, and Chester could all see increases of more than 75%.

Read Tom White’s story on The Guardian - “Climate change 'will push European cities towards breaking point’.”

Australia’s severe heat is affecting the sperm of the bird population: study

Recent heatwaves and temperature increases are severely impacting bird fertility, according to an Australian-led study.

A pair of Zebra Finches in the Australian heat.

For the avian population, functional and competent sperm is critical for reproduction, and this study led by Macquarie University shows the recent heat is having a devastating impact on the sperm quality of the common zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata).

The zebra finch is commonly found throughout mainland Australia and is considered a very environmentally adaptable bird, capable of breeding in both hot and cool climates. 

The researchers periodically sampled male zebra finches, exposing them to high temperatures from three to 14 consecutive days.

Read the story by Kamin Gock from today’s Melbourne Age - “Australia’s severe heat is affecting the sperm of the bird population: study.”