How much flooding does it take?

The government continues to churn out damaging changes to legislation and policy that have long term negative impacts to the environment. At the same time, this year has seen some of the most extreme weather in UK history. Over 200 flood warnings this week alone.

A rundown of the year so far:

April
After warnings of drought conditions and water shortages few were expecting what was about to happen.
Strong winds and snow fall hit the UK with tens of thousands without electricity.
Heavy rains led to flooding in April.

June
Heavy rains caused flash flooding in Northern Ireland.
At the end of the month two storms moved across Wales and England, triggering 10 flood warnings and 47 alerts. Thousands of properties were again without electricity and landslides cause rail disruptions.

July
Flood warnings and alerts were issued across the UK.
A care home had to be evacuated.
The South West of England was issued with a severe weather warning.
A Dorset couple were killed in a landslide whilst the county had 150 flood warnings.

August
More flooding in Devon, Tyne and Wear, Yorkshire and Scotland.
Flash floods in Cumbria, causing landslips.

September
Wales, Yorkshire and North East England hit by flooding.
The foundations of a block of flats were washed away, the block eventaully had to be demolished.
Local authorities asked the government to help with costs.

November
Hundreds of flood warnings across the country.
Many homes flooded.
Insurance industry issue a warning that thousands of properties may be uninsurable next year.

Overall insurance costs for the year are likely to be £1billion or more.

Today Cameron visited flooded areas to talk to people about their problems and in the process stated the government was doing all it can do, but insurance companies need to do what insurance companies are supposed to do - insure.

However the fact is the government isn't doing all it can. The only solution is a greater effort to cut CO2, that is the only thing that will return climate to a state that produces reduced flooding risks, nothing else will.


In the mean time, home owners that are looking to the government to stop flooding with the use of  technology, think again, any defence will eventually be breached as weather gets more extreme.


Lets hope next year will be dryer, at least until the next record breaking year of flooding, caused by our CO2 producing addiction.