To wonder why we’re not doing more to stop Britain going under water

[Fleetheart]

I learned yesterday that in 30 years only, because of global warming and rising sea levels, much of Lincolnshire and other areas (Cardiff for example), will be permanently under water.
We are seeing such changes, and yet don’t seem to be making this a massive deal. Climate change activists are still being seen as cranks; when really this is an unprecedented change to our way of life. Not only that, but immigration will keep on rising as others from abroad will want to move to higher land. Not a weird science fiction fantasy but real.

Apologies for the link
The only one I could find

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1183191/sea-level-rise-uk-how-much-uk-underwater-map-climate-change-un-report/amp

Sea levels have always risen and fallen. This is not unprecedented. Part of the problem is overpopulation resulting in homes being built on flood plains. There is not much we can do as it is part of nature that the face of the planet is constantly changing.

People are still choosing convenience and cheapness over everything else.

If people consume ethically, then there will be a rise in ethical goods and processes.

People need to forgo stuff (always unpopular).

We need to dump projects like Heathrow expansion, as a model of carbon-fuelled 'expansion at all,costs' needs to stop. Expectation and demand that the economy must be growing needs to change

I think the policy is protect London and there are lots of things happening around the Thames barrier for instance.

But also its probably seen as a LA level issue and they wont have the money.
Its very worrying

I don’t think that is the case that they have moved so fast. And there is a lot we can do but we are not doing it - ie, we need to stop flying.

See the SUV thread for selfishness regarding climate change

Because it’s inconvenient and boring and people like you who say something are deemed ‘preachy’ and ‘hypocritical’. Someone will be along soon to say ‘are you a vegan OP?’

Sea levels have always risen and fallen, and they are indeed currently rising - no denying that. And it will be a huge problem one day.

However, given the only source you can find for this particular "Lincolnshire will be under water within 30 years" claim is the Express, I would gently suggest that it's sensationalist bollocks.

People are well aware there's a serious problem re climate change. However, there's no point keep on saying we need to change our way of life. (Especially those Extinction Rebellion people). We've got wind farms, electric cars, solar panels on roofs and in fields, introduction of smart meters. What suggestions have you got as to exactly what else we can do?

And anyway, we're just a small country in comparison to the US, India and China. Their contribution to climate change is massive. That's where the real problem lies.

@PlanDeRaccordement, not talking about just flood plains but whole towns being permanently under water- e.g Skegness, and most of Lincolnshire

I'm in east Anglia

@lockheart, unfortunately not; it’s a UN report, I was at an ecological lecture yesterday and one of the points made is the media are not really covering (as most is don’t really want to hear it as it’s so scary)

I wasnt thinking how to stop climate change - oops. Obviously thats important. I was thinking whats being done to live with it. So eg flood defences, designing towns that have streets that are supposed to flood, designing homes that are above the water, resettling people to other areas. I'm thinking its a bit too late if thats the prediction for 30 years time.

Can I ask Op, do you have any idea what currently is or isn’t being done when you ask why we’re not doing more?
I mean If you weren’t aware of it until yesterday I can’t see that you’re up to date on the environment agencies 30 year plan

Yes @Fleetheart I know it's a UN report - I read the article. My point is I suspect the Express have taken the worst case scenario from that report and presented it as certain fact.

Have you read the UN report? Do you have a link to it?

www.un.org/en/climatechange/science.shtml

Not flying will make little difference to CO2 levels.
Flying is more environmentally friendly than shipping goods by sea or land due to those using Diesel engines.

The issue is with the drains and sewage.
Many places are still relying on Victorian systems that weren't designed to accommodate so many people.
Also we have concreted over a lot of ground so the water won't drain away as well.

We need much better town planning but it won't happen because it's not a vote winner.

I don’t live in the UK, but in the region where I live the projections show that large swathes of land near me will be underwater in a couple of decades - much sooner than first thought. We can’t do anything - just managed retreat. It’s mad as property in these places is still rising in value. There’s a cognitive dissonance going on, that’s for sure.

the environment agencies 30 year plan

Isn 5 that more concerned with defences rather than attempting to slow the pace ofthe change?

Also, IIRC there are some areas that it thinks unsalvageable, and that tends not to get reports much.

I follow on Twitter a scientist who is very active on need for people to act (now and drastically) if we want to avert change that would be catastrophic for humans. It does seem like he's preachy and banging on incessantly sometimes. But I don't unfollow him, because he's right and this sort of stuff needs to be said.

friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change/flood-map-england-and-wales-areas-risk-flooding

I remember reading in the late 90’s that Brighton would be under water by 2020.

@PlanDeRaccordement might I suggest you are talking absolute bobbins; much more
is needed to fly each plane; it’s a truth universally acknowledged by experts that reducing flying and reducing meat eating will reduce the gases. And no I am not a vegetarian but I think I should be...

And no, I am not up to date with what we are doing as a nation, I’m just a normal person, not a scientist or a political activist,
but I do recognise that we don’t hear about much and yet these changes are really scary. I didn’t realise until I heard from these scientists yesterday.

I think a big part of the problem is inaccurate predictions in the past - if 20 years ago we were being told “in 20 years XYZ will be under water” and now we’re here, that hasn’t happened.... people don’t have faith in current predictions either, as past ones haven’t panned out.