Climate change alert

Climate change alert

The statistics, released by Jersey Met, show that the Island is in the grips of a long period of below-average rainfall and above-average temperatures which mirror the long-term projections for global warming. And after reservoir levels dropped to just 46 per cent capacity – a quarter down on this time last year – water is now being produced at Jersey’s desalination plant for the first time since 2011.

The figures show that:

  • Last month was the driest November for seven years and the seventh-consecutive month with below-average rainfall.
  • This autumn was the sunniest since records began in 1925 and the driest since 2011.
  • Each of this year’s seasons have been warmer than average.
  • Twelve of Jersey’s top 20 hottest years have occurred since 2000, and four of the top five have happened since 2002. This year is likely to be in the top ten.

And Jersey Met has confirmed that recently released figures from the UK Met Office which show the potential for dramatic changes to the UK’s weather could also be applied to the Island.

With predictions that UK summer temperatures could rise by as much as 5.4°C by 2070, Jersey could see the mercury hitting 40°C in the most extreme conditions. Winter temperatures, meanwhile, could rise by 4.2°C by the same year, meaning January temperatures could hit 18°C, while February could see maximums of 20°C.

The Jersey Met figures were issued as the Island recorded its mildest ever December night on Sunday, with a minimum temperature of 12.8°C, which is higher than the average daytime maximum temperature at this time of year.

Environment Minister John Young said: ‘No one on the planet can afford to ignore climate change. It is present and the symptoms are all around us. Everyone in Jersey can do their bit and make changes which will affect the lives of our children and grandchildren. It is essential that this happens and this is being taken very seriously and it will form an important part of our Common Strategic Policy.’

The Deputy, who recently suggested introducing a congestion charge for St Helier, said that Islanders could help reduce Jersey’s carbon footprint by using low-emission vehicles, taking public transport or walking, as well as insulating homes to reduce energy consumption and supporting initiatives to plant trees.

He also said that climate change would be factored into Jersey’s new Island Plan, as sea walls might need to be further increased in height.

The worrying impact of global warming returned to the international headlines this week as the UN climate change summit began in Poland amid warnings that today’s generation was the last that can prevent catastrophic global warming.

Figures for Jersey show that last winter was wetter and milder than average, while the summer was drier and hotter, ranking the equal fifth-warmest on record.

John Searson, Jersey’s principal meteorologist, said: ‘This year has been consistent with what we expect from climate change and global warming.

‘To have seven consecutive months of below-average rainfall is unusual but it is not exceptional, and fortunately the Island is well placed to manage the demands, such as through the use of the desalination plant.’

Jersey Water, which brought the desalination plant into operation last Thursday, is urging Islanders to use water wisely. The plant is currently producing 5.4 mega litres per day to help replenish reservoir levels, which have risen slightly to 49 per cent capacity. In total, Jersey Water supplies 18.3 mega litres per day at this time of year, and it says that the water produced at the plant combined with the water in store will ‘comfortably meet demand’.

FACT BOX:

  • 172.8 mm of rain was recorded this autumn (September to the end of November) – well below the average of 273.6 mm
  • Jersey’s hottest years were: 2014 (mean temperature of 13.34°C), 2011 (12.96°C), 1989 (12.95°C), 2015 (12.89°C) and 2002 (12.88°C)
  • This summer was warmer, drier and sunnier than average and when the data is combined to create a summer index, it was ranked as the ninth-‘best’ since records began
  • In line with global warming trends, last winter was milder and wetter than average, with an average temperature of 7.2°C (compared to 6.8°C) and 388 mm of rain (compared to 277.3 mm)
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