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BBC News
03-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
UV skin protection 'not just about cloudy days'
Islanders are being reminded about the importance of protecting themselves from skin Health and Meteorology departments from Guernsey and Jersey have been working together to explain what Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is and how over-exposure could lead to skin Aked, head of meteorology at the Jersey Met Office, said UV rays were invisible to the human eye, but there were two types that reached the ground, UVA and added the highest levels of UV were typically between 11:00 BST and 15:00 but weather and cloud could play a part. "However UV can still get through some cloud, so it's not just about the cloudless days."Sand and water are also good reflectors which increase exposure too," he added. UV levels are measured on a scale known as the Ultraviolet Index (UVI), a standard, international measure of ultraviolet radiation. 'Understanding UV is very important' Di Mathews, public health strategic screening lead in Guernsey, said the weather was a popular topic of conversation but also an important one. "Both UVA and UVB can be harmful, UVA damages the skin, causing aging and, along with UVB causes sunburn which together increase the risk of skin cancer.""Skin cancer rates in Guernsey and Jersey are very high, higher than the South of England, so understanding UV and the UVI is very important." Ms Mathews added: "The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to cover up with loose fitting clothing, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses, stay inside, and use a sun cream of Factor 30 or above."A States of Guernsey wellbeing survey showed that nearly half of Guernsey residents had at least one episode of sunburn in the last year. It said 73% of people, aged 16 to 24 years, reported having been sunburnt in the previous year.
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Jersey: 2024 was seventh warmest year on record, say forecasters
Another red stripe has been added to the Jersey Climate Stripes after the island recorded its seventh warmest year in 2024. Jersey Met Office said the average temperature in 2024 was 12.95C, recorded from daily night-time minimum and daily maximum said official temperatures had been recorded at the Maison Louis Observatory since 1894. Paul Aked, head of meteorology, said the daily maximum temperatures were on average 0.32C higher than the long-term average. He said the night-time minimums were 0.81C above the long-term average. Mr Aked said: "It is in this detail, you can see the impacts warmer nights are having, contributing to the overall annual temperature being the seventh warmest on record."Along with temperature rise, for every degree our atmosphere warms, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, adding to the wetter weather."He said as a result, we should be prepared for the potential of seeing "more extreme weather events" as temperatures continued to rise. 'Reduce carbon footprint' Deputy Steve Luce, minister for the environment, said the increasing temperatures were "greatly concerning"."With increasing temperatures are associated impacts on biodiversity, food security, and sea levels - which as an island is greatly concerning," Luce said this year, he would continue to encourage islanders to reduce their carbon footprint. "We must ensure Jersey remains on a pathway to net zero by 2050, in line with the internationally recognised targets of the Paris Agreement." There are now 131 stripes at the Waterfront, which represent the years from 1894 to 2024, Jersey Met said. The new stripe will be added to the wall on 18 added: "Using colour, the stripes show how the island's climate is warming over time, and act as a visual climate change reminder."
