Some British coastal communities will “inevitably” be forced to flee their homes as climate change depletes their shores, warns the head of the UK’s Environment Agency (EA) today.
EA CEO Sir James Bevan is expected to say that rising sea levels, fueled by warmer oceans and melting ice, will cause “some of our communities, both in this country and all over the world, they can’t stay where they are. “
“While we can safely return and rebuild better after most river floods, there is no return for land that coastal erosion has taken away or sea level rise has put underwater permanently or frequently, “Sir James will say in a speech at the Flood and Coast Conference in Telford.
He argues that while the goal should be to keep communities where they are, in some places it will make economic and human sense to keep them away from danger instead of trying to protect them from “the growing threat of river flooding. , the sea, and surface waters, as well as coastal erosion. “
Sir James’s recognition of a planned retreat was welcomed by climate scientists who warn that sea levels will continue to rise, in some areas beyond our ability to adapt.
Read more: Bangladesh climate migrant megacity collapses under pressure with warning that same problems will affect UK
Professor Robert Nicholls, director of the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research, described it as “timely official recognition of a major problem that has long been predictable but easy to ignore, as it only becomes apparent. slowly “.
Professor Ilan Kelman, a professor of Disaster and Health at University College London, said leaving a community was “devastating” but “nothing new for England and Wales”.
The Welsh people of Fairbourne have been told they will have to move, as Gywnedd Council cannot maintain flood defenses indefinitely. Lowland hay in the east of England, which accounts for 7% of England’s agricultural production, is partly below sea level due to drainage.
A recent report by the IPCC – the UN’s international group of climate scientists – projected that coastal flood damage in Europe will increase at least tenfold by the end of this century, and even more so if we do not change the way of living off people. in those areas.
In the UK, one million people are expected to be exposed to annual coastal flooding by the end of this century.
Sir James’ statements come as EA launches a new plan to prepare England for floods and coastal changes.
Use the Chrome browser to get a more accessible video player
9:53 PM All the latest weather news on the Daily Climate Show.
The agency aims to improve flood risk assessments and mapping, as well as information on investment decisions. It is also channeling £ 150 million into 25 new innovative projects to deal with the threat of flooding and coastal changes.
Jim Hall, a professor of climate and environmental risk at Oxford University, said: many people love the coast, such as beaches and sand dunes, they will end up sinking, unless we start planning now how the coast can be adjusted to sea level rise. “
He called for “honest talks” with coastal communities about the future and a strategic approach to managing the coast in a sustainable way.