Global Warming and its possible impacts on Essex 15
will arrive more frequently and in a more vigorous condition. Deep depressions, such as those
which affected Essex in 1953, with flooding, and 1987, with extensive tree damage, will also become
more frequent.
Whilst there will be negative effects from global warming and ozone depletion, climatic change will
not pressage disaster, but it will need to be met with change on our part. The impacts of climatic
change on agriculture can readily be met by changes in farming practice. A more Mediterranean-
type climate could mean good news for the tourist industry and the county's seaside resorts. New
habitats will be created as our climate and our coast change, so there will be interesting biological
change.
Acknowledgements
I have particularly drawn on 'Reconstructing Quaternary Environments' by J.J. Lowe and M.J.
Walker (1997, 2nd edition, published by Longmans) and 'The Changing Global Environment' by
N.Roberts (1994, Blackwells) for the more technical aspects of this address and on 'The Essex
Coast... Beyond 2000' by Chris Gibson (2000, published by English Nature) for the local examples.
I also had very helpful discussions with Dr Ken Adams of the Field Club.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)