Floods in Exeter could become common place, warn Greens

The Green Party in Exeter

has warned that the floods witnessed in the Exeter

area could become far more common in future, due to changes in the climate. According

to Met Office figures, Exeter

experienced at least 35% more rain than average in 2012, which was also the

wettest year on record in England.

Andrew Bell, Green Party candidate for St David's and St

James ward in the forthcoming County Council elections, said:

"The Green Party has long argued that the risks

associated with climate change make it imperative that local authorities and the

national government introduce measures to drive down greenhouse gas emissions.

We have long championed measures such as greater energy efficiency, investment

in renewables and greening the economy.

"We need to prevent new developments on flood plains,

something we are seeing far too much of in the Exeter area.

Local councillors must take a stronger stand against such planning applications.

Central government, rather than weakening the planning system, should be assisting

local authorities by granting stronger powers to ensure that the new homes and

businesses are built outside flood risk areas. We also need to see substantial

investment in improved flood defences to avoid future destruction, disruption

and misery caused by flooding".

The vast majority

of scientists agree that the high rainfall totals and individual extreme

flooding events seen in 2012 are part of a pattern of wetter winters and more

intense rainfall in the UK as a result of increased greenhouse gas

emissions. Higher winter rainfall and more rain falling at once during

particular winter storms is exactly what climate models have been predicting

for the UK