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London scoping - ukcip

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Final Report<br />

85<br />

basis for subsequent discussions of societal and economic impacts: the mandate of the two<br />

remaining work streams.<br />

Table 5.9 Summary of key climate change impacts on <strong>London</strong>’s environment<br />

Issues Climate variables Potential impacts<br />

Urban heat island Nocturnal temperatures<br />

High pressure and low wind<br />

speeds<br />

Dominant airflow direction<br />

Air quality Stagnant summer<br />

anticyclones<br />

Airflow direction<br />

Temperature inversions<br />

Catalysing sunshine<br />

Thunderstorms<br />

Water resources Winter and summer<br />

precipitation<br />

Potential and actual<br />

evaporation<br />

Soil moisture<br />

Flood risk Seasonal precipitation totals<br />

Winter soil moisture<br />

Heavy daily precipitation<br />

Multi-day precipitation totals<br />

Snowmelt<br />

Sea level rise<br />

Increased summer heat stress and mortality<br />

Reduced winter space-heating<br />

Higher underground temperatures<br />

Increased use of air conditioning<br />

Increased risk of fires<br />

Higher rates of refuse decay<br />

Increased water demand<br />

Increased concentrations of ozone, VOCs, SO2,<br />

particulates and pollen<br />

Acute asthma epidemics<br />

Deleterious effects on urban trees and urban fabric<br />

Export of pollutants to wider region<br />

Reduced summer soil moisture<br />

Shorter potential recharge season for aquifers<br />

Lower summer flows<br />

Higher winter flows<br />

Deteriorating water quality<br />

More leakage due to clay shrinkage/expansion<br />

Increased domestic water demand<br />

Use of rising groundwater<br />

More conflict between environmental/societal<br />

demands<br />

More heavy precipitation days in winter<br />

Fewer heavy precipitation days in summer<br />

Heavier multi-day precipitation totals in winter<br />

More frequent flooding of underground network<br />

More localised shallow groundwater flooding<br />

More frequent closures of the Thames Barrier<br />

Increased supply of fine-grain sediments<br />

Saline intrusion to freshwaters

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