A new research study has predicted that a number of North West towns could be underwater by 2050 as a result of rising sea levels.
As the global crisis of climate change continues to pose a threat to our future, with a report by NASA released at the start of the year revealing that 2020 was the joint warmest year on record, Climate Central – non-profit news organisation focused on climate science – has taken a look at the severity of the threat of climate change locally, reports LancsLive.
Although the damaging of climate change may not be directly felt where you live at this moment in time, the new research shows that rising temperatures have resulted in increasing sea levels and more severe weather conditions in the region, with the world’s ice sheets melting fast.
Experts say causes of global warming by humans include burning fossil fuels – coal, gas and oil – factory farming, increasing livestock production, and deforestation.
It’s also said that once gradual changes become noticeable, it will likely be too late to stop them.
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As a result of this, Climate Central’s research predicts that areas of Blackpool, Lytham, Fleetwood and Morecambe could all be underwater in less than 30 years, with Lancaster, Thornton-Cleveleys, Heysham, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire and Southport also being affected.
Maps have been released to show how rising sea levels will affect local areas, with areas shaded in red represent places that are lower than the local sea-level or coastal flood projection, according to the selected data.
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It should be noted that these images are based on predictions if we make no cuts to emissions.
The Lancashire coastal town and popular seaside resort of Blackpool is one of the most prominent locations on the list, with the above map showing the prediction that most of the area south of Central Pier – including the Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Airport – could be lost by 2050.
According to the research, inland areas including Common Edge, South Shore, Little Marton, Marton Fold and Squires Gate would also be impacted, along with parts of Blackpool & Fylde Industrial Estate, Blackpool Zoo and Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve – however, northern parts of Blackpool including Queenstown, Layton, Grange Park, Warkbrek and North Shore would avoid the potential devastation.
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In Fleetwood, only areas near Jameson Road Landfill Site and pockets of land in Preesall, Stalmine and Staynall would stay above water, and it’s predicted to be a similar situation in nearby Cleveleys, with places including Anchorsholme Park affected.
The research shows that the popular coastal town of Morecambe would bear the brunt of the rising sea levels, with Climate Central predicting that its tourist hot spots would be flooded due to rising sea levels.
Coastal areas of Heysham would also be affected, but parts of the town’s centre, the Nuclear Power Station, and Nature Reserve would be safe.
In the Lancashire county city of Lancaster, areas on the banks of the River Lune would be submerged – while Lancaster city centre, Lancaster Castle, Fairfield Nature Reserve, Williamson Park and other more inland areas would avoid the water.
Rising sea levels could see the picturesque and highly-sought-after town of Lytham mostly submerged, along with the nearby Warton Bank and areas of Clifton.
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The majority of Southport would also be submerged, according to predictions / Credit: Climate Central
In major city Preston, land close to the River Ribble – including parts of Ashton-on-Ribble and The Docklands – would be affected, and Penwortham, Walmer Bridge, Much Hoole, Bretherton and Hesketh Bank would also see land disappear due to the rising sea levels.
All of Banks and the majority of Southport would also be submerged too, according to Climate Central’s predictions.
Featured Image – Climate Central
UK News
Manchester Museum has been shortlisted for the 2024 Art Fund Museum of the Year
Danny Jones
Another bit of very well-deserved recognition for our city as the Manchester Museum has been shortlisted for the 2024 Art Fund Museum of the Year.
Organised by the independent and membership-based British charity, which raises funds through the collection of important works and artefacts, it’s world the single largest museum prize in the world.
Shining as one of the crown jewels in Manchester’s cultural scene, the museum has been named among five other impressive finalists for this year’s award, which is evaluating inspiring projects from autumn 2022 through to winter 2023.
This wonderful news comes at a good time for Manchester Museum, which recently welcomed its one-millionth visitor since reopening to the public in February last year, following a £15 million values-led redevelopment. It really is back with a bang.
With Art Fund keeping audiences and communities at their heart, the highly revered accolade has a particular focus on community engagement, sustainable ways of working, and demonstration of ambition by reinventing what it means to be ‘the best’ museum for the audiences of today and tomorrow.
For context, the Manchester Museum (which sits as part of the University of Manchester) was the most visited indoor museum in the North of England throughout 2023, despite being shut for an entire month, welcoming a total of 790,332 people through their doors.
Speaking on this year’s selection, director Jenny Waldman, who heads up the 2024 judging panel, has applauded each of this year’s finalists for delivering “something for everyone” and keeping “community at the very heart of their programming.”
“Their commitment to innovative partnerships whilst operating within an extremely challenging funding environment is incredible”, she added. “I’m so pleased to see the way they support and centre young people through their work.
“Across a wide range of size and scale, these organisations are all real leaders in their field. I urge everyone to go and visit these extremely special spaces.” So do we.
We’d recommend going along to Stand the T-Rex aloneYou’ve got to see the giant Japanese spider crab(Credit: Manchester Museum/Matthew via Flickr)
As for the museum themselves, DirectorEsme Ward said of the announcement: “Manchester Museum’s redevelopment was the result of 10 years’ collective endeavour, so being shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year is a moment of joy for everyone to share in, from staff and partners to our communities and Manchester itself.
“It is an affirmation of museums’ power to bring people together in building a more inclusive, hopeful future.”
Built on self-proclaimed values of “inclusion, imagination and care”, the museum’s recent reopening has positioned it at the forefront of the sector here in the UK, with new galleries, partnerships, visitor facilities, sector-leading programming and digital innovations.
These updates, along with their existing and award-winning South Asia Gallery – the largest and first permanent gallery in the UK to celebrate the experiences and contribution of the South Asian diaspora co-curated by members from the community itself – are what have helped put it in the running for this prestigious prize.
Visitor numbers for the first year following reopening were up 157% on 2019/20, with 57% of those being new attendees and more than one in seven’s first trip to a museum ever.
The other four shortlisted museums are the Craven Museum in Skipton, North Yorkshire; Dundee Contemporary Arts, the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Young V&A – Victoria and Albert Museum, also in the capital.
The winning museum will be announced at a ceremony at the National Gallery in London on 10 July and will receive £120,000 to put towards internal projects and cultural work. Better still, £15,000 will be given to each of the four other finalists, so everyone’s a winner in a way.
Congratulations again to everyone at Manchester Museum and well done for all your incredible hard work – we can’t wait to be right about you again in a couple of months when we’re confident you’ll be rightly named as the winner of the 2024 Art Fund Museum of the Year.
Tributes paid to former Manchester City winger Ian Mellor, dead at 74
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring following the death of former Manchester City star, Ian Mellor, who has sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mellor, from Sale in Greater Manchester, played as a left winger for Man City as well as the likes of Norwich City, Brighton, Chester, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford.
With his family and former club confirming the death on Wednesday, 1 May, social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the seasoned ex-pro who sadly died following a long battle with amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease which affects organs such as the heart, brains and kidneys.
Replying to his son and ex-Liverpool turned Sky Sports broadcaster, Neil Mellor, the club paid their respects to the former Blue who made 50 appearances for the club.
We're saddened to learn of the passing of our former player, Ian Mellor.
Mellor began his career just down the road at Wythenshawe Amateurs before going on to represent City from 1970 to 1973.
A boyhood fan of the club, he scored 10 goals whilst wearing Sky Blue and also went on to win the Charity Shield with them back in 1972.
Eventually nicknamed ‘Spider’ for a good chunk of his career due to his long-legged stature, he remained attached to the beautiful game for years after his retirement and went on to become a committee member for the Former Players Association at City.
Joining the likes of all his former clubs, Chester City said: “Everyone at [the club] is saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Mellor. Sending all our love to you and your family, Neil Mellor.
His son Neil’s goodbye has touched many online too, calling his dad his “hero” and his “everything”.
He also went on to thank locally-based end-of-life care organisation and charity, St Ann’s Hospice, who have facilities all over Greater Manchester and who helped care for Ian in his final days.
Our thoughts are with his friends and family as well as those whose lives he touched through football during this difficult time.