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Birds face climate change threat

17 January 2008

A new atlas has been published today which maps the potential impact of climate change on Europe's regularly occurring nesting birds.

The RSPB's Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds shows that a "calamitous" impact will harm birds unless urgent action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to improve nature conservation.

The map used estimates based on a model of climatic change which projects an increase of global average temperature of about 3C since pre-industrial times.

It warns that three-quarters of all Europe's nesting birds are likely to suffer declines in age and some species are on a path to extinction.

The atlas shows that for the average bird species the potential distribution by the end of this century will shift nearly 550km north-east.

Professor Rhys Green, an RSPB scientist and one of the map's authors said: "Climatic change and wildlife's responses to it are difficult to forecast with any precision, but this study helps us to appreciate the magnitude and scope of possible impacts and to identify species at most risk and those in need of urgent help and protection."

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's conservation director, added: "We must heed the wake-up call provided by this atlas and act immediately to curb climate change."