Why climate change is more than just rising temperatures — and how the UK must prepare for the full system shock

Introduction

Climate change is often framed as an environmental issue — and it is. But that’s only the beginning of the story. As global temperatures rise, we are entering a period of profound systemic disruption. Shifting weather patterns, rising seas, and collapsing ecosystems are setting off cascading effects across our economy, infrastructure, food systems, public health, and national security.

In short: climate change doesn’t hit us in one place. It hits us everywhere, and often at once.

For the UK, this means preparing not just for hotter summers or wetter winters, but for a complex web of challenges that could reshape how we live, govern, trade, grow food, and care for our most vulnerable. We must respond with systems thinking — and with urgency.

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About this article

I want to explore with you what can be done and should be done to tackle the causes of climate change and to prepare our environment and humanity to live in a world of extreme weather without society falling apart.

The end objective is to help frame actions that we should include in a Climate Statutory Duty, a law requiring Local Authorities and Public Bodies to be the key delivery mechanism for achieving our obligations under the Paris 2015, to safeguard the future of our constituent residents and businesses and, to create a prosperous UK

Please read these articles and then let us know your thoughts by responding to Question 1 and Question 2 on the page "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty"

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🌍 The Root System: Environmental Disruption

The starting point is the climate itself. Greenhouse gas emissions — primarily from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial agriculture — are destabilising the Earth's climate systems. These changes are transforming the natural world:

• Rising temperatures are altering the timing of seasons, driving species northward and upward, and increasing the frequency of droughts and wildfires.
• Melting ice sheets and glaciers are contributing to sea level rise and changing ocean circulation.
• More extreme weather is eroding coastlines, damaging infrastructure, and stressing water systems.

These environmental changes act as a force multiplier — setting off ripple effects through every major system we depend on.

Now let's explore Six Consequences of Environmental Disruption which include;

1. Ecosystem Disruption & Biodiversity Loss
2. Energy Demand & Energy Security with a direct impact on energy availability and increasing costs
3. Food Security with a direct impact on food shortages and increasing food poverty
4. Inflation, Insurance & Economic Shock leading to increased levels of health and economic poverty
5. Civil Unrest, Migration & Geopolitical Risk leading to greater migration problems and civil unrest in the UK
6. Public Health & Mental Wellbeing issues such as increased sickness,, suffering and death primarily amongst the non-wealthy (yes, including the former middle class)

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Six Consequences of Environmental Disruption

🌿 1. Ecosystem Disruption & Biodiversity Loss

“Climate change is now one of the most significant threats to biodiversity worldwide — and its effects are accelerating.”
— Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

Climate change is accelerating the decline of ecosystems — from coral reefs and rainforests to UK peatlands, woodlands, and rivers. It shifts habitat ranges, disrupts food chains, and increases the risk of extinction.

In the UK:

• Native species like puffins, salmon, and curlews are struggling as breeding grounds and food sources change.
• Invasive species, such as the oak processionary moth and Japanese knotweed, are thriving in warmer conditions — harming crops, woodlands, and infrastructure.
• Warmer winters allow pests and diseases to survive longer, adding new pressures on UK forests and farms.

Ecosystems are not just biologically rich — they are essential infrastructure. They store carbon, buffer floods, purify air and water, and support food production. Their collapse increases the likelihood of extreme events and reduces our resilience to them.

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🔌 2. Energy Demand & Security

“Climate change is a key risk to energy security. The UK must invest in grid resilience, storage, and diversification.”
— National Infrastructure Commission

Warmer summers are already pushing up demand for air conditioning — a trend expected to increase sharply.

• Globally, this strains power grids, especially where electricity still comes from fossil fuels.
• In the UK, our energy infrastructure — including offshore wind, nuclear, and transmission systems — faces growing risk from storms and flooding.

We also face international risks: volatile global fossil fuel markets, disruptions to supply chains for renewable technology, and rising geopolitical tensions over energy-critical materials.

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🥕 3. Food Security

“Climate change is already eroding food security — and without urgent adaptation, we risk deepening hunger and inequality.”
— FAO, 2023

Extreme heat, drought, and flooding are already reducing yields for key crops worldwide. Climate change disrupts not just what can be grown — but where, when, and how reliably.

In the UK:

• Domestic agriculture is vulnerable to droughts, late frosts, and flash floods — all of which are becoming more common.
• We import around 50% of our food — and global disruptions, like the 2022 droughts in Spain and North Africa, have already caused shortages and price spikes in UK supermarkets.
• Changing conditions may open opportunities for new crops, but also require major investments in water, soil, and technology.

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📈 4. Inflation, Insurance & Economic Shock

“Physical climate risks are now material to the financial system. Adaptation must be factored into all investment decisions.”
— Mark Carney, former Governor, Bank of England

Climate-linked disruptions — failed harvests, supply chain breakdowns, or storm damage — drive up prices across sectors. This feeds inflation, particularly in food and energy, and exposes vulnerabilities in the financial system.

In the UK:

• The Bank of England has warned of rising insurance costs, especially for flood-prone properties, and potential devaluation of climate-exposed assets.
• Public services, including the NHS and local councils, face higher costs from extreme weather damage and service disruption.
• Households already struggling with the cost of living will be hit hardest — making climate change a driver of economic inequality.

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⚔️ 5. Civil Unrest, Migration & Geopolitical Risk

“Climate change will increasingly shape the global security environment. We must prepare now for its strategic impacts.”
— UK Ministry of Defence Climate Change Strategy

Climate change doesn’t just affect nature — it reshapes geopolitics.

• Scarcity of food and water can fuel conflict, particularly in fragile states.
• Tens of millions may be displaced by rising seas, desertification, or unlivable temperatures.
• Competition for resources — including rare earth minerals essential to clean tech — could spark new tensions between global powers.

In the UK:

• Climate-linked migration could influence public policy and politics.
• Disruptions to global trade routes, energy flows, or key imports (like grain or fuel) could impact national resilience.
• Britain will also face growing international pressure to increase aid, debt relief, and climate finance.

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🩺 6. Public Health & Mental Wellbeing

“Climate change is the greatest public health threat of the 21st century — and the greatest opportunity to redefine global health.”
— The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

Climate change is already impacting health:

• Heatwaves are causing excess deaths, especially among the elderly.
• Air pollution worsens asthma and heart conditions.
• Climate anxiety, displacement trauma, and uncertainty contribute to rising mental health needs.

In the UK:

• Public health services are not yet equipped to deal with longer, more intense summers.
• Poor housing and urban heat islands increase vulnerability, particularly in deprived communities.

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Conclusion and Call to Action

That is very sober reading. The bad news is that this is already starting to happen. The good news is that we can still tackle these issues but need both a change in the behaviour of people and, clear leadership on these issues from national politicians and local politicians.

There is much that you can do, using your voice and agency, to move the dial on Climate Change just where you are

1. Help us create a law to tackle these issue in the form of a Climate Statutory Duty - go to, "Shaping the Climate Statutory Duty"
2. Talk to others about these issues and share our posts
3. Canvass your Councillors and MPs using our resources at "Leading the Climate Statutory Duty Campaign"
4. Volunteer to help us (we are all volunteers) and use your skills to help us get this to government.
5. Keep in touch - complete the sign up form at the foot of page

➡️ What’s Next?

Understanding the systemic consequences of climate change is only the beginning. In our next piece, we’ll explore how the UK can respond — not just to limit the damage, but to turn the climate crisis into a moment of transformation.

We’ll look at what national government, local authorities, businesses, and individuals can do to:

• Adapt to new risks
• Build resilience in communities and supply chains
• Restore ecosystems to buffer impacts and reduce emissions
• Embrace innovation and create long-term economic opportunity

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👀 Coming soon:

Turning the Tide: How the UK Can Prepare for Climate Consequences and Thrive in the Transition

Cllr Wisdom Da Costa