'It will have big impacts on coastal communities:' Lancashire environment expert joins Sir David Attenborough's stark climate change warning

A Lancashire marine expert has spoken of the effects of climate change on coastal communities after Sir David Attenborough warned the first UN Security Council meeting on climate and security to treat the crisis as a global security threat.
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The climate change crisis remains the "biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced," Sir David Attenborough warned.

The conservationist and broadcaster, 94, urged world leaders to take urgent steps to protect the planet and unite humanity.

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"Today, there are threats to security of a new and unprecedented kind,” he said.

Living Seas North West has warned of the effects of climate change on coastal communities like the Fylde coast, after Sir David Attenborough told UN chiefs this week it was the "biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced." Photo: JPI MediaLiving Seas North West has warned of the effects of climate change on coastal communities like the Fylde coast, after Sir David Attenborough told UN chiefs this week it was the "biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced." Photo: JPI Media
Living Seas North West has warned of the effects of climate change on coastal communities like the Fylde coast, after Sir David Attenborough told UN chiefs this week it was the "biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced." Photo: JPI Media

“These threats do not divide us. They are threats which should unite us no matter from which part of the world we come, for they face us all.

“If we continue on our current path, we will face the collapse of everything that gives us our security: food production, access to fresh water, habitable ambient temperature and ocean food chains. And if the natural world can no longer support the most basic of our needs, then much of the rest of civilisation will quickly break down.

"Please, make no mistake. Climate change is the biggest threat to security that modern humans have ever faced."

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Sir David issued a plea to global chiefs to "bring emissions down with sufficient vigour," in order to take control of the climate crisis and avoid unnecessary global conflict.

Sir David Attenborough warned UN chiefs this week that humanity must unite in the battle against climate change, "for it affects us all." Photo: PASir David Attenborough warned UN chiefs this week that humanity must unite in the battle against climate change, "for it affects us all." Photo: PA
Sir David Attenborough warned UN chiefs this week that humanity must unite in the battle against climate change, "for it affects us all." Photo: PA

UN chief Antonio Guterres concurred: "We need to protect countries & communities and address the specific risks the climate crisis poses to international peace & security."

The stark warning came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who chaired the meeting, added: "Whether you like it or not, it is a matter of when, not if, your country and your people will have to deal with the security impacts of climate change."

According to NASA, last year tied with 2016 as being the warmest year on record, at 1.02 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1951-1980 average.

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"Rising temperatures are causing phenomena such as loss of sea ice and ice sheet mass, sea level rise, longer and more intense heat waves, and shifts in plant and animal habitats," bosses said.

Lancashire experts also warned of the effects climate change has on the Irish Sea and its food chains, with concerns about the future of coastal towns.

Coastal communities, including the Fylde coast, are on course to suffer the effects of rising sea levels and damaged coastal developments, they cautioned.

Georgia de Jong Cleyndert, marine conservation researcher at Living Seas North West, explained how vital the Irish Sea, and other waters globally, were to tackling climate change.

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"The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the atmosphere by absorbing heat and carbon – it absorbs about one third of human made gas emissions – however, as a result of climate change, sea surface temperatures are increasing, the ocean is becoming more acidic and the level of oxygen in the water is reducing," Miss de Jong Cleyndert said.

"Increases in ocean temperatures is causing changes to where fish can live and decreases ocean wildlife. Ocean acidification is causing a reduction of carbonate ions, which are critical for shell-forming animals like oysters, mussels, crabs, and shrimp, and decreasing oxygen levels will create areas that will suffocate animals.

"These will have big impacts on local coastal communities and fishermen by causing changes to traditional catches as well as reducing catches.

"Moreover, this will cause an increase in sea levels causing damage to coastal developments and destroying coastal wetland habitats, including saltmarshes.

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"In order to protect the ocean, we need to reduce our net carbon emissions and increase ocean health. We can do this by reducing pollution and overfishing and protecting marine and coastal habitats. A network of well-managed marine protected areas is vital."

Seas across the world, including the Irish Sea, could actually help to tackle climate change - but only when able to support healthy habitats and wildlife, she added.

Earlier this month, The Gazette revealed plans for a wind farm to be built 17 miles off the coast of Blackpool, as the Government pledged net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Dan Labbad, boss at the Crown Estate, which manages UK seabeds on behalf of the Queen, said of the plans: “With a net zero goal, some of the best offshore wind resources in the world, and clear commitment from Government and industry to continue investing in the low carbon economy, the UK stands ready to play its part in addressing the global climate crisis.

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“The task now is to work together across the sector, to coordinate the development we need offshore, in a way which is sensitive to the importance of biodiversity in our precious marine environment and brings new employment opportunities and growth to a range of communities across the country.”

Concerns grew in January about levels of plastic pollution washing up on Fylde coast beaches, as environment campaigners LOVEmyBEACH and Wyre Council were called to investigate microplastics washing up on our shores.

The presence of microplastics, both in the sea and on land, can cause severe harm to marine wildlife which may accidentally swallow them, ingesting toxic pollutants, LOVEmyBEACH warned.