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Global warming: Scotland's climate is 'changing faster than expected'
Image source, Getty Images
New research, on behalf of the Scottish Government, says that Scotland's climate could be changing faster than expected.
Researchers say some parts of Scotland are already experiencing higher average temperatures - those not expected to be reached until 2050.
The study, by the James Hutton Institute, says increases in winter rainfall have also exceeded the 2050 projections.
But what does this mean for Scotland and climate change?
What does the Scotland climate report say?
Image source, Jeff J Mitchell
The report says that average temperatures in Scotland in February rose to those expected for 2050. It says this suggests that temperatures are getting warmer faster than predicted.
The scientists doing the research also said that rainfall - how much rain has fallen - is already above what was expected for 2050.
Scotland's Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan said: "These findings underline that the climate emergency is not a distant threat - it is with us today."
This year, the whole of the UK had the hottest June ever, and the whole world had the hottest July ever.
Image source, Lee Durant
Researcher Dr Mike Rivington, who worked on the Scotland report, said that Scotland's climate change could impact biodiversity, agriculture (farming) and things like water and energy.
"Less and warmer water in streams impacts river health and water quality due to higher concentrations of pollution, but also increased potential for flooding in winter due to increased rainfall" he said.
Ruth Taylor, agriculture and land use manager at WWF Scotland, said the research will not surprise Scottish farmers.
She said: "Over recent years they have battled periods of extreme heat, drought, and flooding to grow the food we all rely on."
Image source, Octavio Passos
Can the impacts of climate change be reduced?
The authors of the report say that there are practical ways to limit some of the effects of climate change - through farming processes and working with flooding and droughts
Dr Mike Rivington said: "We can adjust to manage these risks better. For example, we could capture and store more of that excess rainfall from the winter months for use in summer."
"Farms can increase the organic matter in soils, so they store more water for droughty periods. We can also use the knowledge to plan better and have better surveillance e.g. raise greater awareness about wildfire risk."