Weather is a strange and ever-changing factor in the modern world, even more so in the last few decades. Global warming contributes to climate change making the jet streams more unpredictable and can change their position in certain circumstances. Our general climate (Britain) alone is much hotter on average than the previous year. Is this going to be a continuation? In December, there was so much rain it caused mass flooding; Areas such the Lake-District have suffered large economic stresses from on and off again floods in the last two months. Capel Curig in Gwynedd had 210mm of rain in 48 hours in early December.
My location, in Buckinghamshire is a secure place at the moment and we are especially lucky that we have not had any type of flooding in the last two months. Places like Glenridding are not so fortunate, this month records the fourth time they have been flooded of the duration of these last winter months. Geologically Buckinghamshire is not prone to flooding unlike the Lake District, (the location of Glenridding) where mountains like Helvellyn surround the area causing surface runoff down the slopes to the river. The floods have altered the surroundings and have caused serious economic pressure upon the area. For those of us living in the south-east of the country it’s a different story all together, even though there have been incidents in the past, it has never been to the extent of those further north. However with ever changing climates, there have been serious concerns rose about the whole ordeal of flooding. Rising temperatures means more rainfall across the Globe and for Britain, as a nation we have always complained for the rain we’ve had, but we are looking at bigger variation of climates; more tropical micro-climates, less snow on average and more rain. If global warming continues, and it probably will, we will have to focus more what we can do to adapt rather than trying to stop it. The process of climate change may be slow itself but the effects it brings will come faster. In the next few decades we could see Britain as having the same temperature as southern France. This may transform the food production industry and our tourism, along with many other factors for better or worse. One thing is for certain it will leave serious considerations to how we are going to spend government’s money in the future. What is Britain going to be like in 50 years time?
