Experts from the Committee on Climate Change have warned that the UK is treading a fine line in areas such as flooding and water supplies where effects of climate change could cause severe problems.
The committee produced a report that claims the UK is underprepared to deal with impacts of floos, heatwaves and droughts because risks as being ignored.
Lord John Krebs, the sub-committee’s chairman, stressed the need to “gear up” from awareness to action to respond to the threat of climate change. One example he gave was the installation of water meters to encourage teh saving of water.
Thames Water, Sutton and East Surrey Water, Northumbria Water, Severn Trent Water and Essex and Suffolk Water all said they would struggle to cater for demand should a drought occur. The report warned the risk of severe drought could affect 35% of the UK in 2035, as opposed to 8% currently.
Lord Kreb said: “The Government should roll out meters. We want to incentivise people to adopt those measures that would save them money and save the country water.”
The report also high-lighted the fact that housing development in flood-prone areas has increased since 2000 in Southampton, Gloucester, Gosport, Hull, Fareham, Stockton, Tewkesbury, East Riding and South Gloucestershire.
Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary said: “The increasing frequency of extreme weather events like the severe winter we had and the second dry spring are stark reminders that we must adapt and build resilience to face the challenge of climate change, as the Adaptation Sub-Committee’s second assessment makes clear. But our response cannot be business as usual. That’s why the Government is developing the national adaptation programme to help businesses and communities minimise the risks.”
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