Winchester Action on Climate
Change (WinACC) statement on flooding
Floods and storms are more likely because of climate change. Whether this year’s floods in
southern England, including Winchester District, are caused by climate change, no-one can
yet tell, but there is no doubt that increased storminess and rainfall are one of the expected
effects of climate change. Large parts of southern England had their wettest January since
1910, the Met Office announced on Thursday.
We can mitigate climate change by changing the way we live, including reducing our
emissions of greenhouse gases. This can only be achieved on a national and international
scale if politicians work and act together. Meanwhile, as regards flooding, we can adapt to
changes in our climate by avoiding building new homes in flood plains, by making our homes
more resistant to flood water, by planting more trees and by changing how we use land
upstream to hold more water. But – as David Cameron said in Parliament back in 2008 ’with climate change, [flooding events] are likely to be more frequent’.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080507/halltext/80507
h0009.htm
Official reports warn that flooding is becoming more likely because of global warmingi. This
flooding must prompt us all to cut our own carbon footprint and to demand that politicians
locally and nationally take action to create a zero carbon Britain.
To find out more, come to WinACC’s meeting on ‘Creating a Zero Carbon Britain by 2030’.
7.15 for 7:30 on Tuesday 11 March 2014 in the United Church, Jewry St Winchester SO23
8RZ. A realistic and inspirational talk by Alice Hooker-Stroud of the renowned Centre for
Alternative Technology on how we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero
whilst maintaining a modern standard of living, using only current technology.
(The Climate Change Risk Assessment from the Department for the Environment
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says ’floods and coastal erosion are already serious
risks in the UK, and they are projected to increase as a result of climate change’
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-climate-change-risk-assessmentgovernment-report
i
The Met Office says that four of the five wettest years since records began in 1910
have been since 2000
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/actualmonthly
Notes to Editors:
1. Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) aims to cut the carbon footprint of
Winchester district. Its members include local residents, businesses and local government, working together to create a better future.
2. WinACC runs regular meetings throughout the year to get the Winchester community engaged in climate change and lowering carbon emissions.
3. For further information visit winacc.org.uk or call Chris Holloway, Director on 01962
827083 / 07779 283451 or email press@winacc.org.uk
4. Winchester Action on Climate Change Ltd is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales with company registration no. 08013043. Our registered office is
Room 163, Main Building, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester
SO22 4NR. We are also a registered charity in England and Wales with charity no
1150754.