Consequence

The Book of Inundation Clive

Haynes

Above: City Walls Road: 26mtrs rise in sea level

Cover photo: Worcester Cathedral from College Street: 27mtrs rise in sea level

Consequence

With increasing evidence for global warming and climate change there’s no doubt that mankind and other species will experience profound changes.

For those of us of an older generation, this oncoming catastrophe will become more than a mere inconvenience. However, we’ll only experience the beginnings of a profound change. In contrast, future generations will struggle with widespread flooding, seasonal aberrations, ecological collapse and crop failures.

We’re all very much aware that action to limit climate change, especially the part that human activity has impacted and continues to cause, is required now.

Unless we each begin to understand how devastating the impact will be, there’s an inclination to think of it as an abstract concept and something which may happen in the future. The process of sea level rise is both slow and inexorable.

My purpose is to bring that future forward and make the impact of sea-level rise up close, personal and directly relevant to where we live.

This set of pictures explores the possible effect upon the City of Worcester. I imagine how well-known landmarks and features would be affected by a rise in sea level between 23 metres and 32 metres. The consequences are quite sobering.

Sadly, the ancient city of Worcester will all but disappear and the British Isles will diminish to become nothing more than the British Archipelago.

It really is up to us.

St. Swithin’s Church and St. Swithin’s Street: 24mtrs rise in sea level

North side of Worcester Bridge, North Parade and Bridge Street: Ca. 22mtrs rise in sea level

All Saints Church and Deansway with floating debris: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral and Guesten Hall Ruins, College Green: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

Friary Walk, Crowngate, Angel Street and St. Nicholas’ Church: Ca. 27mtrs rise in sea level

River Severn, West Bank - view towards St. Andrew’s Spire: Ca. 28mtrs rise in sea level

The Commadery and course of Worcester - Birmingham Canal: Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral and College Precincts: Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, Cloister Garth: Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, Cloisters: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, Memorial to Richard Solly (d. 1803), Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, Nave and West Window: Ca. 27mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, Monument to Dean Eades (1596) Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester Cathedral, King John’s Effigy (d. 1216): Ca. 26mtrs rise in sea level

Antique Shop, shop window, Severn Street and Edgar Street: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

No. 16 Edgar Street: Ca. 23mtrs rise in sea level

King Charles I at The Guildhall, High Street: Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Chapel Walk, Crowngate and Countess of Huntingdon’s Church with floating debris: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

Worcester City Coat of Arms, Cripplegate Park entrance: Ca. 23mtrs rise in sea level

The Hive view from The Butts: Ca. 25mtrs rise in sea level

Broad Street: Ca. 24mtrs rise in sea level

St. Martin’s Quarter carpark and Asda Supermarket: Ca. 32mtrs rise in sea level

‘Consequence’ by Clive Haynes © mmxxiii

View towards Worcester Cathedral from Bath Road area: Ca 30mtrs rise in sea level