Global warming IS to blame for extreme weather

Global warming is definitely to blame for the UK’s extreme weather this year, says Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox.

He was commenting about a report by the Met Office which said our record-breaking heat will be the new norm for Great Britain.

In its State of the UK Climate report the UK’s national weather service said the evidence is backed up by their Central England Temperature record, which goes back to 1659. It is the longest-running weather record in the world, based on measurements taken using thermometers and other instruments during the last 366 years.

“These are worrying statistics from such a renowned institution,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park, “and world governments need to take notice of their report and act on it as a matter of urgency.

“These experts shows that recent warming has far exceeded any observed temperatures in the last three centuries.”

The report focuses on 2024, when the UK experienced its second-warmest February, warmest May, warmest spring, fifth-warmest December, and fifth-warmest winter since records began.

The Met Office points out that some of these records have already been surpassed in 2025 – with many parts of the country in the throes of their third heatwave this summer.

Already, the East and West Midlands and the North West and Yorkshire have officially declared a drought, while Yorkshire and Southern Water have imposed hosepipe bans following England’s warmest June on record.

This came after the country’s driest and sunniest spring for 132 years, leaving many rivers across the Midlands at extremely low levels.

For those who want to save water at home, Ron suggests shorter showers, turning off taps when not needed, and fixing leaks. People can use their appliances more efficiently by running full loads of laundry and dishes, and they should consider installing water-saving devices like low-flow showerheads.

The report shows that the UK now experiences a “notably different” climate to what it was just a few decades ago with many more very hot days and many fewer extremely cold nights.

“It just shows just how much global warming, caused by the vast emissions of greenhouse gases our society creates, is reshaping our country’s climate,” said Ron.

Global temperatures have risen by over 1.3C since the industrial revolution with the Met Office calculating that the UK is warming at around 0.25C per decade. To put that in context the 2015-2024 period is 1.24C warmer than between 1961-1990.

But the climate report showed as well as warming up, the UK is also getting wetter, with rainfall increasing significantly during the winter. Between October and March, rainfall in 2015-2024 was 16 per cent higher than in 1961–1990.

Also, there were 14 fewer colder days in the last decade compared to 1931 to 1990 with air frosts, which is when the air temperature falls below zero.

But it’s not just humans who are suffering from the more severe weather, but also the natural world.

Dormice, and hedgehogs – two of the UK’s most threatened mammals – are particularly affected when the weather is very warm.

Fruits and nuts ripen earlier in hot weather and that means fewer foods are available in the autumn when these animals build up their reserves of fat to see them through winter.

Even some trees are not growing as well as expected and cannot cope with the warmer conditions.

And for the first time the report highlights that UK sea levels are rising faster than the global average, leading to the risk of more severe floods.

“This evidence from the Met Office shows the urgent need for the UK to prepare now so the country can cope with these future extremes,” concluded Ron.

For those wanting more advice about how to play their part in dealing with global warming, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or contact us here.

Caption: Politicians and scientists need some blue sky thinking on how to tackle the world’s rising temperatures.