Climate update January 2006
30 January 2006
According to WWF Scotland’s monthly climate update, based of figures from the Met office, January 2006 continues the trend for warmer and more unsettled weather.
The last three years have been the warmest in Scotland since records began back in 1914 and January 2006 looks set to continue the trend, with recorded temperatures a full degree warmer than average for this time of year.
January 2006 has also seen an alarming cluster of extreme weather events across the world. As temperatures fell to -40ºC across Russia, elephants were being fed vodka to keep out the chill. In Brazil heavy rains caused the death of 12 people while in Poland a conference centre roof collapsed under a heavy weight of snow killing 66.
In Scotland temperatures have fluctuated dramatically throughout the month with 14 °C recorded at Machrihanish on 9th/10th followed by overnight temperatures which plummeted to -12 °C in the Highland Glens on the 29th.
As new figures released this month also confirm that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising faster than expected, Dr Richard Dixon Director of WWF Scotland called for urgent action from government: "Politicians of all sorts keep telling us how import action on climate change is, yet everything is currently on hold because two UK departments are arguing with each other about how much should be saved by industry.
"With the UK and Scottish Climate Change Programmes now under 'consultation' for nearly a year and a half, it is time for some action. Tony Blair needs to show some of the leadership he is always claiming on climate change and knock heads together to deliver the emissions cuts he promised when he was elected in 1997. Meanwhile the Scottish Executive may not be able to publish their Climate Change Programme ahead of Whitehall, but they should get on with making the content happen."
Events in January 2006
4th - Heavy rain leaves an Indonesian village buried under mud with 200 people feared dead.
8th - overnight temperature fell to -9 °C at Aboyne.
9th/10th - temperature reached 14 °C at Machrihanish.
15th - new figures confirm that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are rising faster than expected.
17th - a report from the Tyndall Centre concludes that new nuclear power would do little to combat climate change.
22nd - Across Russia elephants are fed vodka as temperatures fall to -40ºC
29th - overnight temperatures fell to -12 °C in Highland Glens.
30th - a Polish conference centre roof collapses killing 66 people, and heavy rains in Brazil cause the death of 12 people.
31st - Aviemore recorded a temperature of -11.7 °C and Grantown-On-Spey recorded a temperature of -12.6 °C.
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