By Paul Homewood

 

In 2006, David “Snow is a thing of the past” Viner promised that Blackpool would soon become the new Benidorm:

 

Climate change could "dramatically" change the face of British tourism in the next 20 years, with European tourists flocking to the UK to escape unbearably hot continental summers, experts say.

Research shows that European tourists may choose to holiday in Britain as resorts nearer to home become too hot.

Weather changes may provide revival opportunities for northern seaside towns such as Blackpool and put new strains on roads and development in southern coastal resorts, a study in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism said.

Academic David Viner, a researcher at the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit in Norwich, produced the report after analysing the work of experts around the globe.

"The likelihood [is] that Mediterranean summers may be too hot for tourists after 2020, as a result of too much heat and water shortages," the study said.

There were "opportunities for the revival of northern European resorts, including Blackpool, in the next 20 years, as climate change and rising transport costs offer new holiday opportunities," it said.

The study added: "Climate change will impact on many holiday destinations. For many this will be problematic, for others it will produce benefits."

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Well, how did that work out?

Since that report in 2006, five English summers have been colder than the 1981-2010 average.

The warmest was in 2013, but that was only the 13th warmest since 1910.

 

 

Only one summer has been drier than average.

 

And as for sunshine, there has not been much demand for Factor 30!

 

 

As for those continental holidays, tourists are flocking there in ever greater numbers:

 

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And climate scientists wonder why people have so little trust in them!

via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

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September 6, 2017 at 05:42AM

 South Africa is set for its biggest maize crop harvest on record following improved weather conditions.

At least 16.4 million tonnes of maize can be expected from the maize belt this season.

The Crop Estimates Committee upped its forecast by 2.7 percent from July.

Almost 60 percent of the yield will be white maize, which is the regional staple used for human consumption.

The rest will be yellow, most of which is used in animal feed.

Overall, 2017’s harvest will have doubled from the previous season.

Full story

via The Global Warming Policy Forum (GWPF)

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September 6, 2017 at 05:37AM

‘New plans from the Scottish Government would allow the sale of hybrid and electric cars but not exclusively petrol or diesel ones’, reports Auto Express. But is it just political bluster, based on Scotland having left the UK?

Scotland has set out plans to phase out the sale of cars powered solely by petrol or diesel by 2032 – eight years ahead of the timescale proposed for the rest of the UK.

As under the plans south of the border, Scotland would allow the sale of petrol and diesel hybrids, however.

The SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, said in the Scottish parliament today that: “The transition from petrol and diesel cars and vans to electric and other ultra-low emission vehicles is underway and gathering pace.

“I am announcing today an ambitious new target. Our aim is for new petrol and diesel cars and vans to be phased out in Scotland by 2032 – the end of the period covered by our new Climate Change Plan and eight years ahead of the target set by the UK Government.”

Sturgeon went on to say that Scotland would “massively expand the number of electric charging points” in rural and urban locations across the country to boost the take-up of plug-in hybrids and pure EVs. 

Despite the announcement, however, as Scotland’s parliament does not have devolved control over vehicle standards or taxation it’s unclear how the nation will implement this policy before the rest of the UK. 

Source: Scotland to ban petrol and diesel car sales by 2032 | Auto Express

via Tallbloke’s Talkshop

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September 6, 2017 at 05:25AM

By Paul Homewood

 

A quick run through the Met Office data for this summer:

 

 

Max temperatures in the UK ranked a  distinctly unimpressive 30th highest since 1910, despite a hot spell in June.

There is a distinct contrast with minimum temperatures, which show this year as 6th highest and a steadily rising trend. This yet again raises questions about the impact of UHI, and whether the Met Office is properly allowing for it.

 

 

Rainfall was well above average, though not abnormally so.

 

It was mainly Scotland that seems to have been affected by higher rainfall, with England not much above average:

In short, just another typical British summer, changeable, nice in parts – the sort we have had for decades.

via NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

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September 6, 2017 at 05:12AM