Climate Change And Flooding

? 1998 was the warmest year in the warmest decade in the warmest century of the last millenium.

? In global terms, 2002 was the second warmest year since records began over 350 years ago, and was 1. 1 C warmer than the average in England. It is already clear that 2003 will be in contention as one of the hottest years ever.

? By the end of the 21st century two out of every three summers may be as hot as August 2003. Snow will be increasingly rare: one of the oldest ski resorts in the UK (Glencoe) will not open this year. Winter has shortened by about 20 days since 1990. ?Aircraft contribute about 3. 5% to the greenhouse effect. A return flight to Australia by jumbo jet releases 4, 095 tonnes of CO2 (about 15 tonnes per person). If the polluter pays principle is applied this would be an extra ?280 per person on the ticket price.

? The cost of adapting to climate change could be relatively small compared with the cost of doing nothing e. g. estimated cost of climate proofing buildings against subsidence - ?32 million, estimated damage claims if no action taken - ?300-400 million. ? An estimated 25 million people are displaced by environmental causes, more than double the 12 million political refugees. ? Between 1990 and 2002, UK emissions of greenhouse gases fell by one-eighth, emissions are forecast to be 23% below 1990 levels by 2010. (A slight increase in emissions in 2001 was linked to an increase in coal burning.

) ? The UKs emissions of carbon dioxide per person are less than half those of the USA and rank about mid-way among European countries.

It is committed to the 5th largest percentage cut in emissions in the EU and by 2000 was the third most successful in reducing emissions. All EU member states except the UK and Sweden are set to miss their emissions targets.

? Only 3% of the UKs energy comes from renewable sources, less than one third of the way towards the target of 10% by 2010. ? Sea levels may rise by as much as half a metre in the south east of England by 2080. If no allowance is made for climate change river flooding could increase by half and coastal flooding by four times.

? Six out of seven rivers with long-term records show an increase in frequency of peak river levels although only two of these are considered significant (the River Wye and the River Ivel (near Bedford)). ? 1, 200 homes and businesses were flooded in England and Wales in the New Year of 2003. ? Five million people, 1. 8 million homes, 185, 000 businesses, including property, land and assets worth more than ?200 billion are at risk of flooding.

? The annual spend on flood defences is some ?0. 5 billion; 64% of all flood defences are in good condition or better.

? 72% of people in flood risk areas are now aware of this although fewer than 1 in 10 people at risk have taken steps to prepare for ...