New climate models
presented at a study day at the Belgian Royal Met office in Brussels reveal
that if greenhouse gas emissions are not halted the Belgian climate will
undergo significant change this century. Depending on the model the temperature
in Belgium will rise by between 2.6°C and 3.5°C between 2070 and 2100. The
increase is far greater than the 1.5 degrees seen as "safe". Plants
and animals should be able to adapt under a smaller change that would not
trigger extreme weather phenomena.
Climate change could lead to a 19% increase
in rainfall during the winter. Incidents of "extreme rainfall" could
be up by between 10% and 18% and lead to flooding. The number of severe storms
too could rise triggering misery for the coast. An ordinary north-westerly
storm combined with a spring tide could cause sea levels to rise by 3.5 metres.
Fortunately
this should normally only occur every 20 years. [exp]
Climate change could lead to a 19% increase
in rainfall during the winter. Incidents of "extreme rainfall" could
be up by between 10% and 18% and lead to flooding. The number of severe storms
too could rise triggering misery for the coast. An ordinary north-westerly
storm combined with a spring tide could cause sea levels to rise by 3.5 metres.
Fortunately
this should normally only occur every 20 years. [exp]