Latest climate change report bolstered by citizen scientist efforts during COVID-19 lockdown
The latest Met Office ‘State of the UK Climate 2019’ report shows climate change is exerting increasing influence on the UK’s climate, and confirms that last year set a number of new weather records.
Four high temperature records were set, including a new all-time record of 38.7°C on the 25 July 2019 in Cambridgeshire. Last year was also a particularly wet year, with many of us remembering that parts of northern England experienced some very severe flooding.
Air pollution down by 40% in cities during COVID-19 lockdown
Air pollution dropped sharply during the COVID-19 lockdown and new analysis shows where the biggest changes took place.
Updated figures show that nitrogen dioxide fell by over 40% in cities around the UK, while small particle pollution saw smaller changes.
“Virtually all changes” proposed for net zero emissions could improve air quality in the UK
The UK’s transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions could reduce air pollution in nearly every sector, from agriculture and land use to energy production, according to a new report published by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The report, written by Defra’s Air Quality Expert Group, suggests that there is potential for improving air quality nearly every step of the way towards net zero, depending on how replacement low-carbon technologies are used and whether new hazards are managed.