Change needed to protect our Broads
Major changes in planning and managing the Broads will be necessary to help this internationally important wetland to adapt to climate change.
This is revealed in a major report on the implications of climate change and sea-level rise by the Broads Authority which is to be considered at its meeting on Friday.
The report says that if the Broads Authority and its partners take bold action now the Broads will still be here in 100 years time but significant new sources of funding will be required to help the Broads adapt to change.
John Packman, Chief Executive, said; “The Broads have changed a great deal over the last century and continue to do so. They will still be here in another 100 years time but whether they are still an internationally important wetland and a boating paradise will depend on our management and everyone’s willingness to reduce their impact on the environment.”
“We do need to take a very detailed look at a range of responses which might include options such as a Yare Barrier to see how the special qualities of the Broads can be retained. But change will happen and we will have to adapt.”
Broads Authority members want to be in the vanguard of planning for climate change and sea-level rise which means working with residents, businesses, local authorities, key organisations and all those who love the Broads.
The latest climate predictions are for an estimated increase in winter mean temperature of +3ºC and of +3.6ºC in summer mean temperature. It is expected that the estimated change in winter mean precipitation is +20% and in summer of -20%. The sea level rise off the Suffolk coast is predicted to be 37cm.
The report recognises that hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters could bring benefits as well as adverse effects, and opportunities will need to be grasped.
Dr Packman said: “Warmer summers could lead to a longer tourism season, bringing more visitors and boosting the Broads economy. The Broads Authority’s efforts to promote green tourism will be even more important in the future. However, climate change could make it more difficult to manage the fens, which are of international significance.”
As the rivers and broads become more saline, new fish refuges may need to be built. Higher water levels may mean bridges need to be raised or bypassed for boats while new habitats could be created or relocated for wildlife and grazing marshes used as washlands to cope with an increase in water.
The Broads Authority is asking the Environment Agency, the lead body on flood defence, to investigate the costs and benefits of a barrier at the mouth of the River Yare as one of the options for coping with climate change and sea level rise. It recognises that there are significant obstacles to its delivery and that the barrier could have adverse impacts.
In its role as the local planning authority the organisation acknowledges it will need to be more creative in the planning process, promoting floating buildings, fitting new drainage systems, building and land raising, creating reservoirs to store winter rainfall for spring droughts and re-locating footpaths on higher land.
The Broads Authority visitor centres, publications, websites and forums will encourage people to introduce changes to their own lives.
A government funded assessment of CO² emissions reveals an estimate for the Broads of 353 kilotonnes which amounts to approximately 5% of the carbon emissions for the county of Norfolk. A carbon audit of the Broads shows that its emissions are the fifth highest of the English national park family. Most of it is generated by industry, followed by travel, housing, travel and agriculture.
The Broads Authority’s own emissions are a fraction of that - about 0.3% of that of the Broads. It is aiming to be a leading low carbon organisation. In the last year it has revolutionised the way it works including a new green office and a change to staff travel with new fuel efficient pool cars including two Smart cars, and a shared staff bicycle.
Sustainable living and development is key to the Authority’s ethos which was recognised when it was awarded Beacon Authority status for sustainable tourism. Its Sustainable Development Fund has supported many green initiatives such as a wood fuel boiler at Flegg High School, a wind turbine, research on the development of an Eco Boat, a ground source heat pump for the new green Neatishead village hall and promoting the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
The Broads Authority’s report is submitted as the English National Park Authorities Association publishes its own document “Climate Change, Mitigation and Adaptation in National Parks” as part of the movement’s 60th anniversary celebrations. It says it believes that National Parks, “the nation’s breathing spaces” have a major contribution to make in mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting to the “inevitable changes” ahead.
The statement sets out clearly how it is handling change and includes a series of case studies. The Broads’ award-winning Sustainability Guide is highlighted in the planning section.
18/11/09
