Entire UK towns may need to be abandoned and moved away from coasts amid warning of sea-level rises
Tackling flooding can't be done by building higher defences and whole communities might have to be evacuated
FLOODING caused by global warming could result in whole towns being moved away from the coast and rivers to keep people safe, the Environment Agency has warned.
The warning comes as the government agency publishes its long-term strategy for managing the risk of flooding and erosion of the coastline.
It is planning for up to 4C of warming, well beyond the 1.5C or 2C limits which have been agreed internationally and are seen as thresholds beyond which dangerous climate change will occur.
Agency chairwoman Emma Howard Boyd warned "we cannot win a war against water" by building ever-higher flood defences, and efforts are needed to make communities more resilient to flooding.
"In some places, the scale of the threat may be so significant that recovery will not always be the best long term solution,” she warned.
"In these instances, we will help communities to move out of harm's way.
"The coastline has never stayed in the same place and there have always been floods, but climate change is increasing and accelerating these threats.”
The Environment Agency has said least £1 billion a year needs to be spent on traditional flood and coastal defences in the face of climate change
The agency also predicts that climate change and population growth are set to double the number of properties built on the flood plain over the next 50 years.
MASSIVE SPENDING NEEDED
Without increased investment, flood damage to properties and infrastructure in England will significantly increase, the EA strategy says.
As well as barriers, natural flood management schemes such as planting trees to slow the flow of rivers should be considered as well as drainage systems with ponds.
This will deliver positive benefits for the environment as well, such as creating habitat for wildlife.
There should be effective flood warnings and emergency response will be needed, alongside designing and adapting new and existing properties to help them recover quickly from a flood.
"More should be done to encourage property owners to build back better and in better places after a flood, rather than just recreating what was there before,” said Ms Howard Boyd.
"This could involve home improvements, such as raised electrics, hard flooring, and flood doors."
Environment Minister Therese Coffey said the government is providing £2.6 billion over six years, delivering more than 1,500 projects to better protect 300,000 homes.
"Flooding and coastal erosion can have terrible consequences for people, businesses and the environment,” she said.
"But the threat of climate change will mean an increasing risk and preparing the country is a priority for the Government, and the nation as a whole."
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