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This blog post was published under the 2015-2024 Conservative Administration

https://insideDIO.blog.gov.uk/2020/03/16/using-science-to-predict-climate-change/

Using science to predict climate change

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Data, Military Training, Science

Picture of white clouds and a blue sky
MOD climate tools help to predict weather changes that could impact military training [ Copyright/Pixabay2018]
As part of British Science Week, I’d like to tell you about the science behind the climate change tools I use to predict risks and how this helps protect the MOD estate against climate changes and extreme weather conditions.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events in the UK, which affects infrastructure, emergency services and people’s wellbeing.

I’ve worked on the UK Climate Projections project which has created a useful tool for the MOD to help understand and reduce climate risks that could potentially harm the MOD estate and disrupt services such as the delivery of fuel and food supplies to our sites.

The MOD has committed to adapt and prepare Defence activities and infrastructure to become more resilient to climate change. To support this commitment, the MOD has developed a tool called the Climate Impact Risk Assessment Methodology (CIRAM) to help understand risks and increase the resilience of the MOD estate.

The Climate Impacts Risk Assessment Methodology booklet explains risks to the MOD estate. [Crown Copyright/MOD2019]
The tool was created so we could use research and data from the MET office, and includes information on UK weather observations and UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18). The data includes projections on how local temperatures may change across the UK. This data is useful to help understand and anticipate future seasonal changes local to a specific area. It allows us to see the risk of issues such as overheating. We use this information to make informed assessments on how climate projections may affect the estate and future activities.

Data from the Environment Agency maps the current risk of river, tidal and surface water and allows us to determine how flooding may affect infrastructure. Similarly, we look at data from other sources, such as the British Geological Survey to find information on groundwater flooding, contamination and geological hazards such as landslides and subsidence. We then bring this data together with the UKCP18 data to consider whether risks are likely to increase in the future and identify areas that require further investigation.

With our in-house Geographical Information System mapping tool, we gather information about specific sites and collate this with mapping information on the local area and issues related to the ecological and historic environment. This gives us a detailed view of the local area, and with all the evidence-based examples and science-based projections we can build a picture of how climate change may affect us in future.

Operational knowledge in the local area converts this assessment into a risk register that outlines how our current operations may be at risk. We recently used this process and scientific data to provide support to emergency repair works for the seawall at Fort Blockhouse. This location is protected by an historic seawall and the prevailing weather and intense storms had damaged the existing seawall infrastructure. The data gave us projections for sea level increases in the area and changes in rainfall, which were used for the risk assessment.

Scientific data from climate tools provide the MOD with information on sea level increases which were used when the seawall at Fort Blockhouse was damaged during extreme weather conditions. [Copyright/MichaelCoppins2013]
The recognition of potential flooding risk to the area has allowed the site to plan and carry out investigations to safeguard vital services. The methodology also highlighted the need to review the wall's long-term condition and maintenance to safeguard current and future operational needs of the site including the seawall's crucial role in protecting the historic sites of Fort Blockhouse and the safe navigation into Portsmouth Harbour.

The science-based approach taken by the MOD is important in assessing the risk posed by climate change, allowing us to mitigate those risks in a timely manner and focus on areas that may pose the greatest threat to our operations. Making better informed decisions now, will allow us to operate effectively and make us climate resilient.

 

 

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