Widespread flooding 'expected for decades' as wet cycle kicks in

Widespread flooding across much of Britain last summer was taste of things to come rather than a freak one-off, a study suggests.
The last 40 years have been comparatively dry but a “flood-rich period” can be expected over the next few years because of a natural weather cycle, academics concluded.
Professor Stuart Lane, of the University of Durham, led research into rainfall and river flows dating back to 1853 and found there were cycles of flooding.
From the early 1960s to the late 1990s there was a relatively flood-free period whicgh masked the pattern of cycles because most studies assessing future flood risks have relied on records just from the past half-century, he said.
“We have also not been good at recognising just how flood-prone we can be. More than three-quarters of our flood records start in the flood-poor period that begins in the 1960s,” he said.
“We have probably under-estimated the frequency of flooding, which is now happening, as it did before the 1960s, much more often that we are used to.
“We are now having to learn to live with levels of flooding that are beyond most people’s living memory, something that most of us have forgotten how to do.”
The findings, published in the journal Geography, suggested that developments on flood plains could prove to be even more costly than previously anticipated.

Comments

[Andrew T]

drmarten@hotmail.com

I understand what you’re saying my friend but unfortunately I just don’t believe that the science supports what you’re saying. Please provide me with some links to some solid research if possible, thanks in advance.

CO2 level's do not have a direct correlation with global temperatures, even the graph they show you in the "incontinent truth" shows exactly the opposite of what they presenting. This method of "presentation" is known as "double think". The counts ruled against this being shown in schools because of these reasons, the science research were not sound and the DVD has a political premise rather than a documentary style.

We need to concentrate on "pollution", unfortunately the first thing that comes to mind when you think that is the big industrial towers pumping out clouds of poison, which unfortunately doesn't work in getting the general public to change its perception and to pay "green tax".

They, the lobby groups, need you to feel personally responsible for the weather effects happening. The point being, every CO2 emission we "drop" by, China increases by, there's no avoiding this at all, it’s just what happens in emerging powers. How can we tell the likes of India that they can’t have the economic growth we benefited from because they may be having a detrimental effect on the environment, it’s a valid point but we have absolutely no moral ground to stand on?

That’s not to say we can’t address these issues but there certainly doesn't need to be any kind of hysteria or us being fined (tax) for just "living".

Me being economical and using less electricity will therefore cost me less money, that is obviously a valid point again but has nothing to do with the subject in question.
There's a different between turning the light off because you can’t afford to keep it on and turning it off because you’re worrying about its effects on the environment, that type of worry is detrimental to your health, never mind the environment.

[Congofx]

First they called it 'Global Warming', then when it was revealed global temperatures had dropped or were remaining stable they changed the buzzword to 'Climate Change'. This is all being brought in to dehumanise us and to tax us, inorder to bring about a one world government.

This whole carbon debate is a crock. Don't believe a word of it.

[special_KT]

Actually, it does make a difference!

Although it's easy to think about the environmental big picture without including our own actions in that equation, helping the environment is about everyone's small contributions added together. A few extra watts of power wasted doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is the cumulative effect of such waste over the long term that leads to billions of watts of electricity wasted at a cost of billions of dollars and a negative environmental result.

As is said, Andrew, this is all part of a cycle, as is the so called "global warming". Earth is always changing and it's time for us to change as well. By turning the bathroom light off, not only will you have an effect on your own electricity bill, but you'll help defuse your impact on the big picture as well. The changes we make today are the energy savings we reap for the future. Besides, it certainly doesn't help to slow the effects of global warming by leaving the bathroom light on!

drmarten@hotmail.com

[Bystander]

From the people who brought you 'Global Warming,' 'Global Warming II - The Wet Period'' Marvel as, so called scientists try to tell us they actually know what they are talking about. If you believed the tosh that was the 'Day After Tomorrow' you'll love this garbage.

[Colin]

The MET office have trouble accurately predicting the weather over the period of a month, just a thought, I think we can all sleep safe in our beds tonight.

[Andrew T]

Last year they were all trying to say this was due to Global Warming in the media, this year they release a report telling us it was definitly not due to Global Warming but that we were well overdue a flood of that scale.

As is said, this is all part of a Cycle, as is the so called "global warming". Earth is always changing, dont think leaving your bathroom light on is going to make any difference at all.