IMAGES of how climate change could affect Edinburgh have been released.
In the worst-case scenario, Auld Reekie could look even more dreich by 2100 according to the illustrations, which were created using an artificial intelligence (AI) program.
“One of the biggest side effects of climate change that Edinburgh is expected to see over the next few decades is increased rainfall,” said price comparison website Uswitch, which commissioned the images in partnership with Sam Fankhauser, professor of climate economics and policy at the University of Oxford and research director at Oxford Net Zero.
“AI reveals that this will cause extremely grey skies for prolonged periods of the day and making the city look like it is constantly in a bad storm.”
Under the worst-case scenario, the UK would miss its 2050 net zero target; no mention was made of Scotland’s 2045 goal.
The AI program was also used to create a more positive image of what Edinburgh could look like if action is taken to cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Ben Gallizzi, senior content editor at Uswitch, said: “From individual households to the businesses we work for, there are many ways we are contributing to increasing carbon dioxide emissions on the planet.
“It is important to visualise how the world could look in the next few decades if we fail to start making changes now.”0
He added: “There are some simple ways we can try and reduce our carbon footprint to help prevent things such as species from going extinct, wildfires ruining ecosystems, and rising sea levels.
“These small changes could be as simple as reducing the number of days we commute by car, reassessing the type and amount of food we eat or making our homes more energy efficient.
“If countries around the world do not start to change their habits, then the repercussions could lead to many places looking unrecognisable.”
Read more stories on Scottish Field’s outdoors pages.
Plus, don’t miss the November issue of Scottish Field magazine.
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