WHILE some people in Pembrokeshire still question whether climate change is real, the evidence is stacking up — and today’s announcement about a massive floating wind farm project in the Celtic Sea shows that Wales is not only taking the issue seriously, but leading the way in tackling it.

This week, Pembroke Port in Milford Haven was shortlisted as one of seven UK ports that could play a key role in assembling giant offshore wind turbines for a project that could power over four million homes and create more than 5,000 jobs. The £1.4 billion development is part of a wider plan to harness the clean, renewable energy potential of the Celtic Sea.

It’s a vote of confidence in Pembrokeshire’s future — and a real-world example of how climate change is being addressed right here in West Wales.

The facts we can’t ignore

Despite online conspiracy theories and political noise, the science is clear. The planet is warming — and fast. Global temperatures have risen more than 1°C since the late 1800s. Sea levels are rising, polar ice is melting, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Wales is already seeing the effects, from heavier rainfall and flash flooding to warmer winters and shifting wildlife patterns.

97% of climate scientists agree that this warming is caused by human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The tiny minority who deny this often have links to fossil fuel interests or aren’t trained climate scientists at all.

What it means for us

Here in Pembrokeshire, we’re on the front line. Coastal communities like Newgale and Dale are vulnerable to rising seas and stronger storms. Farmers face unpredictable growing seasons. Local businesses reliant on stable weather, from tourism to agriculture, are already feeling the pressure.

But Pembrokeshire is also part of the solution. Floating wind farms — like those planned for the Celtic Sea — offer clean power, skilled jobs, and energy security. Milford Haven’s port is already preparing for the future, backed by government investment and maritime expertise.

The climate is changing. Whether we “believe” it or not, it’s happening. The good news is that Pembrokeshire has a chance not just to weather the storm — but to help lead the way.

20 undeniable facts that prove climate change is real

1. The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2010.
2. The Earth’s average temperature has risen by over 1.1°C since the late 19th century.
3. Arctic sea ice is shrinking — with summer ice extent declining by about 13% per decade.
4. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass at an accelerating rate.
5. Global sea levels have risen by over 20 cm (8 inches) since 1900 — and are rising faster every decade.
6. The oceans are warming, absorbing more than 90% of excess heat from global warming.
7. More extreme weather is being recorded — including heatwaves, floods, storms and droughts.
8. The UK recorded its hottest day ever in July 2022: 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
9. Pembrokeshire has experienced increased winter rainfall and more intense storms in recent years.
10. Wildfires are increasing globally, including in countries not historically prone to them — like Canada and Greece.
11. Ocean waters are becoming more acidic due to higher CO₂ absorption, threatening marine life and coral reefs.
12. Spring is arriving earlier across Europe, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
13. Glaciers are retreating on every continent, including the Alps, Andes, and Himalayas.
14. Tropical diseases like dengue fever are spreading into new regions as global temperatures rise.
15. Climate-linked crop failures are increasing food insecurity in parts of Africa and Asia.
16. Satellite data shows the Earth’s energy imbalance is growing — more heat is being trapped than released.
17. The frequency of category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic has increased over the last 40 years.
18. Plants and animals are shifting ranges to escape warming temperatures.
19. Permafrost is thawing in the Arctic, releasing methane — a potent greenhouse gas.
20. 97% of climate scientists agree: climate change is real and caused mostly by humans.

A Pembrokeshire community pub, recently hailed as one of the most friendly in Britain, has been given the go-ahead to install solar panels by county planners.

The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels was ranked second friendliest pub in the UK in a study by security experts Get Licensed, which looked at Tripadvisor reviews and median crime scores around each pub to find the friendliest in the UK.

The 250-year-old White Hart, on Finch Street, reopened as a community pub in 2021 following a campaign after it closed in May 2019 when the last landlords decided to refocus to other activities.

The White Hart Community Inn Ltd was formed as a Community Benefit Society and a community share offer launched with the guidance of the Wales Co-operative Centre.

Two years of fund-raising and campaigning has seen enough money raised through individual community shares purchases together with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government via the Social Business Growth Fund administered by Social Investment Cymru at WCVA, alongside a grant from Pembrokeshire County Council.

An application was recently submitted to Pembrokeshire County council by White Hart Community Inn (St Dogmaels) Ltd to install solar panels at the historic pub.

The proposals were supported by St Dogmaels Community Council, which said it “fully supports the application for the installation of photovoltaic panels”.

A statement in support of the scheme added: “[The community council]  acknowledges the importance of sustainable energy solutions and believes that this project aligns with a commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing carbon emissions within the community.

“It believes that the benefits to the local business, the environment, and the wider community, in the retention of this business, far outweigh any potential drawbacks. It urges the planning authority to approve this application, with any necessary conditions to ensure the character of the Conservation Area is respected.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Receiving the recent Get Licensed award, the White Hart Inn received a top score of five on Tripadvisor, and 66.67 per cent of its reviews highlighted the pub’s ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’ atmosphere.

The local area also has a low crime rate, with a median score of 609 out of 1,000.

A total of 39 crimes were reported in 2024.

A CALL to replace a Pembrokeshire community wind turbine which has raised more than £76,000 for local groups with a larger one has been backed once again despite a second recommendation to refuse.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s March planning committee meeting, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd sought permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one – granted on appeal – being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly-owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine, with community grants awarded through TBG’s Community Climate Fund, amounting to £76,036 to date.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun, Parc Cerrig Growers, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture, and Nevern Valley Veg.

The scheme was recommended for refusal on the grounds including “significant detrimental visual impact” on the area, “including areas of high sensitivity in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and in Fishguard,” on the Conservation Areas of Goodwick, Fishguard and Lower Town, Fishguard.

The scheme had previously been ‘minded to’ backed at the January planning committee, against officer recommendations for refusal, meaning it returned to a later committee for ratification after a ‘cooling-off’ period, this time the March meeting.

At the March meeting, members heard previous concerns by the nearby national park were no longer being made, with Andy Anderson of Scleddau Community Council speaking in favour of both the local community benefits – including funding for solar panels on the local football club – and the community being “well used” to the existing turbine.

Agent Paul Cowley said part of the application for the larger turbine was the existing machine showing signs of gearbox wear, and the proposal helping the county meet its ‘net zero’ green energy target.

Moving approval, Cllr John T Davies said it was “significant” the national park was no longer raising concerns, attempting to allay noise concerns made at the meeting by local resident Neil Morris, by saying larger turbines were less of a concern as they rotated less.

A voice of concern, however, was Cllr Brian Hall, who suggested turbines in his own ward had affected property values by as much as £100,000.

The application to approve, against officer recommendations, was passed by 10 votes to three, with one abstention.