21st Century Challenges

Twice as many British homes will be at risk of flooding than previously thought because of the impact of climate change on sea levels, according to a report by government-appointed experts.

Rising sea levels pose a far bigger eco threat than previously thought. This week's climate change conference in Copenhagen will sound an alarm over new floodings - enough to swamp Bangladesh, Florida, the Norfolk Broads and the Thames estuary

The Pitt Review, ‘Learning lessons from the 2007 floods', released and calls for urgent and fundamental changes in the way the country is adapting to the increased risk of flooding and called on the Government to set out publicly how it will make rapid progress, and be held to account, on improving the country’s flood resilience.

A committee of MPs has said Britain’s Flood Defences are in a ‘chaotic state’ and that there is a ‘total lack of awareness’ as to how vulnerable certain parts of the country are to flooding.

A third of the governments planned target 3 million new homes are to be built on flood plains against advice from the Environment Agency, meaning many could be classed as ‘uninsurable’ by the insurance industry.

Landmark buildings in central London are to be reassessed for flood vulnerability as uncertaintity created by climate change has forced authorities to develop a plan to deal with a worst case scenario.