To prepare for a future living with climate change we must first understand how it will affect us. This involves far-reaching research that considers everything from the acidification of the ocean to the flashes of heat waves. 

These are difficult to predict as one change often sets off chain reactions. Melting sea ice, for example, makes sea levels rise, which in turn causes coastal flooding and erosion. Climate change will also mean more droughts, higher global average temperatures, and the extinction and disruption of many species.

These will also have serious impacts for human health. There are estimates that climate change will cause 250,000 more deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. Climate change will also impact food systems and access to water, and may increase the spread of such diseases as malaria and dengue fever.

CEH work on climate change impacts


Monitoring Sites

Research Facilities