Climate change 'could disrupt wi-fi and hit power supply'

**Gingersnap** · 05-09-2011, 01:43 PM

Climate change 'could disrupt wi-fi and hit power supply'

By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent 2:12PM BST 09 May 2011

Already the transport sector is preparing for temperatures above 104F (40C) this summer, which could lead to breakdowns on the railways.

Speaking at Blackfriars Station in London, which Network Rail is currently fitting with solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems in order to be more resilient against power cuts, Ms Spelman said the UK is already investing £200 billion over the next five years.

But that will not be enough to stop economic impacts of climate change if it is invested in the wrong areas.

She warned of intense rainfall, droughts and heatwaves in the next 50 to 100 years because of man-made global warming. The signal from wi-fi cannot travel as far when temperatures increase. Heavy downfalls of rain also affect the ability of the device to capture a signal.

"Our economy is built on effective transport and communications networks and reliable energy and water supplies.

"But the economy cannot grow if there are repeated power failures, or goods cannot be transported because roads are flooded and railways have buckled, or if intense rainfall or high temperatures disrupt Wi-Fi signals.

"£200 billion is expected to be invested in the UK's infrastructure over the next five years. But if the facilities which support our society cannot cope with floods, droughts or freezing winters then that money will have been wasted."

I swear, they are just making crap up randomly now. Pic of grinning lunatic at the link.

Telegraph

**Articulate_Ape** · 05-09-2011, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Gingersnap

I swear, they are just making crap up randomly now.

Now?

**hampshirebrit** · 05-09-2011, 02:04 PM

I assumed when I saw this that Spelman was from the yoghurt-weaving side of the Coalition Government here, but apparently not, she's a Conservative. :eek::mad:

**djones520** · 05-09-2011, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by hampshirebrit

I assumed when I saw this that Spelman was from the yoghurt-weaving side of the Coalition Government here, but apparently not, she's a Conservative. :eek::mad:

Yeah, but your Conservatives are still our Liberals. So that's not saying much.

**Wei Wu Wei** · 05-09-2011, 03:19 PM

lol climate change limiting people's access to facebook and youtube might be the only hope the earth has

it's basically the only thing people care about anymore

**Odysseus** · 05-09-2011, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Wei Wu Wei

lol climate change limiting people's access to facebook and youtube might be the only hope the earth has

it's basically the only thing people care about anymore

The only way that climate change will limit social networks is if Obama's green program ends up crashing the grid and we have to power our laptops with bicycle-driven generators.

**djones520** · 05-09-2011, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Odysseus

The only way that climate change will limit social networks is if Obama's green program ends up crashing the grid and we have to power our laptops with bicycle-driven generators.

But that would be a great way to fight the obesity problem... hmmm....

**Odysseus** · 05-09-2011, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by djones520

But that would be a great way to fight the obesity problem... hmmm....

Yes, and cutting electricity costs, But, it's got nothing to do with the climate.

**Articulate_Ape** · 05-09-2011, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Wei Wu Wei

lol climte chng liming peple acss to faebok n utub mit be te onl hop te ear ha

's bascly e on thin pepl car abo anmre

What? You were breaking up. It must be the climate. Try again.

**Wei Wu Wei** · 05-09-2011, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Odysseus

The only way that climate change will limit social networks is if Obama's green program ends up crashing the grid and we have to power our laptops with bicycle-driven generators.

you know, I've heard of these home setups where you can hook up video game consoles and computers to exercise bikes that can only be powered if they are used.

a perfect way to get lazy kids (or even adults) to exercise