by DOUG COLLIE
The likely impact of climate change on residents of the Scottish Borders will be considered at an event in Stow this week following detailed analysis of flood and weather warnings included in a report outlining measures to combat global warming locally.
Scottish Borders Climate Action Network, Change Mental Health and NHS Borders are organising the one-day get-together in a bid to build community resilience and outline ways of supporting rural mental health and combat climate anxiety.
The report - Climate Change Impacts Scottish Borders - is the work of Dr Lisa Adams, Specialist Registrar in Public Health at NHS Borders.
The analysis shows that from September 2023 until the end of January 2024 there had been 35 yellow warnings issued, in comparison to 29 within the same time frame the previous year. The trend in yellow weather warnings was likely to continue to rise.
"Data regarding flood alerts and warnings (combined) was examined for Scottish Borders over the last 6 years. . When this is looked at annually, it can be seen that the overall trend for flood alerts and warnings is increasing across Borders, with the highest number recorded in 2023.
"When the alerts and warnings are broken down monthly, the two highest peaks were in February (2020 and 2021). In February 2020, 3 severe flood alerts were issued to Hawick (Slitrig), Hawick (Teviot) and Newcastleton village."
A section of the document explaining the likely impacts of climate change in the Borders region lists areas most at risk.
"Specific high areas of concern for flooding include Hawick, Peebles, Jedburgh, Newcastleton and Eyemouth, based on projected risk and historic events.
"Areas that have a higher number of private water supplies are at increased risk of water quality issues from a number of climate related consequences, as well as water scarcity. New builds, and purpose built flats (especially top floor) are more at risk of overheating and ventilation issues.
"Care homes, education settings and hospital sites are also at greater risk of overheating. Coastal communities are at risk of sea level rises as well as coastal erosion and the consequences of these. south facing areas, particularly on slopes and with good vegetation are most at risk of wildfire events. Steep sided river valleys are most at risk of landslides. Remote communities are at risk of much if the predicted changes to climate, imminent weather events and further impacts of all of these."
People most at risk, according to Dr Adams' report, will be older adults who are particularly vulnerable to the changes in climate, and some of the events and consequences that are predicted to occur. In the short term.
"The older adults of today are at risk of current climate changes, but it is important to remember that the 45-64 year age group are those that are likely to be most vulnerable to the impacts that are anticipated by the 2050s (which in Borders is our current largest proportion of the population)."
And the report warns: "Those who live in the most deprived areas of Borders are at risk of many of the impacts of climate change due to their baseline vulnerability and inability to adapt quickly to any severe weather events or infrastructure disruption and destruction.
"They are also at risk of some of the mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change if these are not carefully considered. This is important as 21% of the population of Borders live in [areas of multiple deprivation]. The most deprived areas to consider are Langlee (part of Galashiels), Hawick, and Bannerfield in Selkirk."
As well as raising public awareness, other suggestions outlined in the report include:
*Working with health and social care to identify those who are most at risk from climate change, and to ensure that these services are also resilient to any climate impacts.
*Continue to work towards the actions outlined in the NHS Borders Climate Change and Sustainability Action Plan. Partnership Working.
*Consider specific vulnerable settings such as schools, care homes and workplaces, identifying measures could be put in place in these locations to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to some of the health impacts of climate change.
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