TAVISTOCK is likely to be basking in summer sun akin to that enjoyed in Portugal by the end of the century — and suffering violent storms on a frequent basis. That was the stark warning issued by the county's climate change expert during a meeting in the town last week. Ian Bateman, Devon County Council's climate change officer, told members of Tavistock Town Council that Devon could expect huge changes in coming years as a result of the greenhouse effect. Mr Bateman said globally, average temperatures showed a marked rise since 1975 — a pattern mirrored by what was happening in Tavistock. Mr Bateman said although it was hard to make accurate predictions about the future, there was no doubt that weather patterns were changing, marking a swing towards wetter winters and drier summers. He said in Tavistock, residents in the 2020s could expect summer weather similar to that in Brittany. But just 30 years later, it would be more like the Bordeaux region in West Devon. 'When we get down there, we know the landscape is different,' he said. 'By the end of the century, we are going to be like Portugal — Exeter will be a bit like Lisbon. 'What's Dartmoor going to look like — the foothills of Spain?' Mr Bateman said the predictions were that the south coasts of Devon and Cornwall were going to become the new Mediterranean, enjoying a long and hot summer. But violent storms would be the flipside of the warmer climate. Mr Bateman said the type of storm that until now has only ever been experienced once in every 200 hundred years could become an annual event by the end of the 21st century, unless drastic measures were taken to try and slow down the march of the greenhouse effect. Mr Bateman said local authorities would face huge challenges as a result of climate change. Were drains big enough to cope with increased incidents of flash flooding? With rising sea levels, some road and rail links could eventually disappear under the encroaching ocean. How would the large numbers of retired and elderly people living in the area cope with extremes of temperature? Mr Bateman said 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere by the average household in West Devon — and it was up to everyone to join the urgent effort in reducing this figure. 'It's about doing things in a more sustainable way. It's about reducing our demands, don't buy foods that have been flown across the world, drive fewer miles, trade the Daimlers in for Daihatsus, use cleaner fuel, like diesel, use two legs instead of wheels. 'Think about your heating, turn the thermostat down just a little, do you have the recommended amount of loft insulation?' said Mr Bateman, who said such small changes individually could make a huge difference if they were adopted by everyone. He said drastic reductions in carbon dioxide needed to be made — ideally, 70% by 2030. 'And the thing is, anything we try today isn't going to hit the country for 30 or 40 years — but we can't wait 30 or 40 years to see what the impact is — we have to act blind now. We already have climate change and there's absolutely diddly squat we can do about it,' said Mr Bateman. 'There is no going back, this is a one way journey. We've bought the ticket, we are on the train — we just don't know what the destination is,' he said. Town mayor Caroline Keane thanked Mr Bateman for his sobering presentation. Cllr Keane said: 'I think this is probably the most important information I have received since I've been on this council. 'It's really important we think about what we ourselves can do, in any way we can.'