On 24^th of January 2025, Storm Eowyn swept across the country, leaving chaos in its wake. Amongst the damage lies the remnants of an art installation, a six-meter-high ark that previously sat above the coastal village of Tighnabruaich. The message behind the ark: climate change. The story of a sculpture erected to bring attention to climate degradation, now destroyed by an extreme weather event, serves as a grim reminder of our current situation. The frequency of extreme weather events is expected to increase. As the country works to repair the recent storm damage it is important to question, is the UK doing enough to meet its climate targets and mitigate the escalating risks posed by climate change?

The ark was built by David Blair, a member of Tighnabruaich’s Extinction Rebellion chapter and retired human rights activist. Constructed as a symbol of strength and urgency, Blair wanted to go beyond ‘all the talk’ and create something that people could connect with on an emotional level. Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Noah’s ark the emotive nature of this piece is clear. Standing six metres tall and 20 metres long the structure is a stark reminder of rising sea levels which threaten coastal regions. The installation was built ahead of the 2021 Cop26 summit held in Glasgow, Blair hoped his work would encourage Scots to do everything in their power to pressure decision makers to tackle the monumental crisis we face. Attendees of the summit were bused out to look at Blairs work, however, not all political bodies supported the idea. Argyll and Bute council prevented local schools from visiting the ark as Blair had failed to acquire the correct planning permission, calling the council's priorities into question. With 66% of 16-25 year olds feeling humanity is doomed it is more important than ever to inspire the next generation of climate activists. The arts have always served as a way to protest and promote new ideas, and a six-by-20-metre ark is a hard message to ignore. Blair suggested the ark should stay in situe until 2045 when the Scottish government has pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions, however, as of January 2025, what was meant to stand as a bold message to leaders has been reduced to a scattering of larch timbers on a remote hillside.

Recent reports have described storm Eowyn as the strongest storm in some areas for 20-30 years. At the storms height nearly a million properties lost power, 400 damage incidents were reported by Network Rail Scotland alone, and one man lost his life when winds reached speeds of 114mph. However, meteorologist Jim Dale warns that Storm Eowyn is just the beginning. Recent studies published in the Journal of Climate Change find higher levels of global warming to increase the projected frequency and severity of storms, droughts and flooding in the UK. Climate scientists have used the UKCP18 Regional Climate Model to predict what this will look like for the UK. Whilst news that extremely hot days in the UK could increase four-fold may be celebrated by some, periods of flooding and drought would increase too. Higher levels of rain fall and increased storm frequency would compound the coastal erosion caused by rising sea levels, impacting local economies, communities, and natural habitats. Whilst it seems farfetched to think that whole cities and coastlines could disappear, scientists believe it is a possibility. Even if global warming is limited to 2.0° C, Climate Central predicts the entire shorefront of Tighnabruaich would be underwater. David Blair may have been onto something when building his ark. Adapting to these changes will be a vital part of the UK’s response to climate change, but it is also imperative we do everything in our power to prevent future harm if we do not wish to see these predictions become reality. So, is the UK doing enough to stop the rising tide of climate change?

The UK is tied to the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and national targets set during Cop26 in Glasgow to reduce emissions by 68% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and Spatial Energy Plan have been implemented to decarbonise electricity by 2030; revisions to the National Planning Framework and Transmission Acceleration Action Plan are equally ambitions projects helping the UK to deliver on its promises to revolutionise green infrastructure. However, despite success in some areas, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warns the UK is off track to meet its climate targets. In September 2023 former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dismantled several climate policies while simultaneously reassuring the public that the targets could be met. The climate action group Friends of the Earth dispute this claim. Analysis shows current government plans would fail to meet the 2030 targets and only a third of required emission reductions have credible plans. If carried out efficiently, current policies would reduce emissions by 92 MtCO2, which is only 54% of the necessary amount to reach the 2030 target. The new Labour government has been quick to address some key challenges, but gaps remain. To hit the 2030 target the UK government must reduce greenhouse emissions by a further 170 MtCO2. If the UK fails to meet this target it is unlikely the 2050 net zero targets can be met, which would have serious implications for the future of the climate crisis. The next CCC report will be published in June of this year, giving us a clearer picture of current progress, and the likelihood or achieving current aims.

Whether the UK’s climate targets are met or not, the future of extreme weather remains uncertain. If current trends continue the frequency and severity of storms will increase, with progressively dramatic effects. David Blair’s ark, destroyed by extreme winds, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of inaction. Whilst the UK has made commitments to reducing emissions and adapting to climate risks, the effectiveness of these policies remains in question. The UK’s response to the climate crisis is not just a scientific or political issue—it is an ethical one. Climate justice demands actions that prioritise the most vulnerable communities, both locally and globally. Without decisive action, severe storms, floods and droughts may become commonplace, affecting communities, habitats and livelihoods across the country, and deep existing inequalities. The fate of Blair’s ark is not just a symbol but a warning – one that requires immediate and sustained efforts from leaders, communities and individuals alike.

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