Climate change: ‘Adapt or die’ warning from Environment Agency

Hundreds of people could die in floods in the UK, the Environment Agency has warned in a hard-hitting report that says the country is not ready for the impact of climate change.

Earlier this year in Germany, dozens of people died in floods.

“That will happen in this country sooner or later” unless the UK becomes more resilient to increasingly violent weather, the agency concludes.

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the agency, said: “It is adapt or die.”

The apocalyptic tone is deliberately intended to startle governments, companies and communities into preparing for global warming effects such as higher sea levels and more extremes of rainfall and drought.

The new report, seen by the BBC ahead of its publication on Wednesday, assesses the country’s readiness to cope with the many different risks of climate change.

In its response, environment department Defra said it was taking key measures to protect the UK from the effects of global warming.

We are currently heading for an increase in the global average temperature of just under 3C by the end of the century.

But the agency projects that even a smaller rise of 2C would have severe consequences:

Winter rainfall up by 6% by the 2050s and 8% by the 2080s (compared with 1981-2000)

Summer rainfall down by about 15% by the 2050s

London’s sea level up by 23cm by the 2050s and 45cm by the 2080s

By the 2050s, peak river flows could be up 27% while summer flows could be down as much as 82%

An extra 3.4 billion litres of extra water needed every day before 2050, on top of the 15 billion used now

According to Ms Howard Boyd: “We can successfully tackle the climate emergency if we do the right things, but we are running out of time to implement effective adaptation measures.

“Some 200 people died in this summer’s flooding in Germany. That will happen in this country sooner or later, however high we build our flood defences – unless we also make the places where we live, work and travel resilient to the effects of the more violent weather the climate emergency is bringing.”

The agency calls for new thinking on flood protection, closer partnerships between government and businesses, and projects to restore natural systems that absorb carbon and hold back rainwater.

Ms Howard Boyd added: “With the right approach we can be safer and more prosperous. So let’s prepare, act and survive.”

The loss of life in Germany last July is a reminder of the last time flooding led to a massive death toll in the UK.

Back in 1953, a storm surge killed 307 people in England and 19 in Scotland.

That tragedy forced a radical rethink about flood protection and a massive investment in coastal defences that eventually led to the Thames Barrier in London.

Now, as officials across the UK weigh up future phases of flood defence, the report identifies what it calls five “reality checks” about climate change:

The Environment Agency alone “cannot protect everyone from increasing flood and coastal risks”. Agency staff have long warned of the long-term dangers of an accelerating rise in sea level and of shifts in rainfall patterns
Climate change “makes it harder to ensure clean and plentiful water”.

This comes as demand for water rises as the population grows, especially in eastern and south-east England
Environmental rules are “not yet ready for a changing climate”. The regulations on water use and pollution weren’t drawn up with such rapid changes in mind

“Ecosystems cannot adapt as fast as the climate is changing”. This is a factor in the losses in biodiversity, particularly among freshwater species

There’ll be “more and worst environmental incidents”. Emergencies in flooding, water shortages and pollution will strike more often and with greater severity

The agency calls for new thinking on flood protection, saying that “business as usual” approaches are no longer adequate.

In practical terms, that means better co-ordination between companies, national agencies and local authorities, with businesses and homeowners encouraged to take basic steps to flood-proof their own properties.

It wants more investment in natural ways of reducing flood risk, such as restoring upland areas that can retain rainwater upstream and improving management of the soil so there’s less run-off.

The agency also suggests trialling new arrangements and technologies for warning local communities about flood risks, and having closer coordination with other emergency services.

The agency acknowledges that billions of pounds have been spent on flood defences – and that more is earmarked.

And it recognises that the UK, as host of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow next month, is highlighting the importance of helping communities and nature adapt to climate change.

In response, Defra highlighted several key measures designed to adapt to a changing climate: £5.2bn to protect 336,000 properties from flooding and coastal erosion better; a national framework to manage water supplies; and a £640m Nature for Climate Fund to tackle climate change and adaptation together.

A spokesperson said: “We are taking robust action to improve resilience to climate change across the whole country and economy, and adaptation to climate change is integrated in policies throughout government.

“We’re also using our COP26 presidency to drive climate adaptation around the world, protecting communities and natural habitats.”