Storms and flooding >> climate change >> cutting carbon ... ... from the UK Met Office to the EU summit

There does seem to be a logic to linking the current weather with changes in the climate - and the pressing need to cut carbon emissions...
The question is how the UK and the EU are addressing these issues...

10:10 VS FLOODING

14 FEB 14

Someone had to say it.

On Monday, the chief scientist from the Met Office confirmed what lots of people suspected: "all the evidence suggests" that the storms and flooding we've seen across the UK are linked to climate change.

Normally, we like to focus on the practical stuff - the things you can say 'yes' to, and the carbon cutting progress being made all over the world.

We know from talking to you that taking action feels good. It's satisfying to solve a problem or cement a good habit, but that also means it's easy to lose sight of the big picture.

But when the reality of climate change starts coming up through the floorboards, it's worth pausing to remember why we do this, and why it's so important.

Read more

Cutting carbon 10% at a time | 10:10

BBC News - Met Office: Evidence 'suggests climate change link to storms'

It’s nuts to cover floodplains in concrete and cut the Environment Agency’s budget to protect us from flooding. But focusing on flood prevention and coping is only half of the solution -- we need to cut carbon emissions to stop these extreme weather events getting worse, and happening more often. 

That’s why a strong European target is so important, and heads of state are negotiating right now before their key summit next month.

More Information:

Climate change policy at risk because of denial and fear, Ed Davey warns (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/feb/13/climate-change-policy-britain-at-risk-ed-davey-environment-secretary

Floods should be sharp reminder to climate sceptics of risks (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/11/floods-reminder-climate-sceptics-caroline-spelman

Weather: Climate Change 'To Blame' For Storms (Sky News)
http://news.sky.com/story/1208850/weather-climate-change-to-blame-for-storms

‘Biblical flooding’ spreads across UK in worst rainfall in over 200 years (RT)
http://rt.com/news/uk-flooding-spreads-environment-485/

EU Outlines 2030 climate goals (BBC)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25841134

Avaaz - UK: Hope from the floods


The summit, planned for March 20-21, will also hold "a first policy debate on the framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030 and agree on the way forward in terms of orientations and procedure".

EU summit to focus on industry rather than climate - draft | Reuters

China tells rich to do more to lead fight against climate change | Reuters

BBC News - EU outlines 2030 climate goalsEnergy Live News – Energy Made Easy – Ministers urge EU to back climate goals
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