THE pace of climate change in Scotland is exceeding predictions, according to new research published today.

The study by environmental scientists at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen found that the average temperatures recorded in February were at levels not projected until 2050.

Some parts of Scotland have seen peak temperatures in March climb from 16.9°C  between 1960 and 1989 to 19.4°C over the following two decades.

“The fact that we have already experienced some of the projected changes in Scotland’s climate suggests that climate change is happening faster,” the institute’s Dr Mike Rivington warned.

“There has never been a more important time to understand the scale of the threat and how fast we need to act.”

A spokesperson from the climate activist group This is Rigged said: “It’s a hell of a lot worse than we have been told. That’s why you’ve got a load of ordinary people willing to risk their liberty.
Willing to fight for our rights to the basic essentials, like food and shelter, which we need to live.

"The initials of This is Rigged is ‘TìR’ meaning ‘land over water' in Gaelic. We’re not prepared to sit and watch this land over water go under.”

Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “These findings underline that the climate emergency is not a distant threat, it is with us today.

“That is why we are taking action to make Scotland more resilient in the face of a changing climate,” the SNP minister added.