Temperature puts land at risk

The face of the land could be changed forever by global warming.

There are fears that crops will fail and even that some winter holiday destinations will not get enough snow to attract skiers.

Various experts have suggested the following could become issues if global warming goes unchecked.

- Winter sports and skiing holidays could go into decline if the snow and ice in the Alps continues to shrink.

- Fewer people will die of the cold, but more people in southern Europe will die from the effects of the heat.

- Forest fires will devastate warmer regions.

- Some species of wildlife could be wiped out. Polar bears are at risk because the ice caps are melting.

- Flooding will become a much more common occurrence.

- Rising sea levels mean billions of pounds will have to be spent on coastlines to protect properties, coastal towns and sea defences.

- Crop yields in Spain, Portugal, southern France, Italy and Greece are already suffering as the temperatures rise.

- Cold water fish, such as cod could disappear from some waters at they move further north to avoid warmer seas.