Increasing efforts to restore the natural environment will be key to responding to the impacts of climate change, leading environmental groups have said.
The claim is made in a new report, Climate change and the natural environment: How Scotland should adapt, published by Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of 50 environmental organisations.
The report outlines that Scotland is experiencing a range of climate-driven threats which will increase as global warming continues. The impacts include wildfires, droughts, marine heatwaves, and a growing threat of invasive species.
Food production is particularly vulnerable to the changing climate, with farmers facing a “deluge and drought” scenario of dry summers followed by waterlogged fields in winter. Over 80% of UK farmers are concerned that climate change is affecting their ability to make a living, and climate impacts are already adding hundreds of pounds to average food bills.
The new report argues that nature can act as the first line of defence against these climate impacts and that investment in nature restoration can build resilience against extreme weather and rising temperatures.
The report finds that:
- Restoring habitats on farmland can support food production, including by improving soil quality and providing shelter to crops and livestock;
- Restoring peatlands and riparian woodlands (trees near rivers) can prevent flooding;
- Greater species and habitat diversity can increase the capacity of marine ecosystems to buffer against shocks, such as warming seas;
- Increasing tree cover in urban areas can lower street temperatures and reduce overheating.
Climate adaptation is the process through which society can build resilience to the range of impacts caused by rising global temperatures.
Commenting on the report, Dan Paris, director of policy and engagement at Scottish Environment LINK, said:
“We are already living through climate change, and everybody in Scotland is experiencing warmer temperatures alongside more extreme weather. The impact of this on our natural environment is profound – and climate change poses particular risks to food production, which hurts farmers and drives up food prices. It is vital that we tackle the causes of climate change. But we also need to adapt to its impacts today and in coming decades. Nature can be our first line of defence against climate change. By rewetting peatlands, allowing our native woodlands to naturally regenerate, and protecting our native species we can create an environment that will be much more resilient and safer for everyone despite rising temperatures. We need the Scottish Government to lead with increased investment and ambition.”