This set of films bring home the everyday effects of climate change on ordinary people. I wonder how people in Wales, especially those affected by flooding, relate to these stories?http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/series/faces-from-the-climate-frontline-environment
 
I've been reading the Guardian's collection of short-stories on the theme of water and listening to the podcast. It got me thinking not only about how essential and simultaneously risky water is in all our lives, but also about the role it plays in our art and culture... On this blog, as well as gathering stories about floods, it would be interesting to explore water in our literature, folk law, paintings... There has been something of a 'move' lately to bring the science and culture of environmental issues together, particularly climate change. Paul Allan from the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth has driven the Emergence project (summit in 2012), linking art with the science of climate change to communicate the imperative to reduce carbon emissions. Another initiative features a symposium, 'Future Climate Dialogues' in Aberystwyth Arts Centre on 13th June.

http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/news-events/future-climate-dialogues/
http://events.cat.org.uk/index.php/emergence-blog/77-video-paul-allen-on-emergence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/series/water-stories

 
North Wales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXbYQf91VAE
Oakenholt, Flint http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4ZYtpSp6n8
Aberystwyth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNGyRFd6IrM
West Wales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n19adqS2pjg (BBC with commentary)
North Wales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r70gVheJdeQ
North wales and England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN0t_iRSDbM
Blaendoleau, Ceredigion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frebfNbGfEQ
Aerial view http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8DVAv363bo
Dyfi Bridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGYF7bAASQ
North Wales http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r70gVheJdeQ
 
This short video is worth watching http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/145724.aspx
 
Environment Minister John Griffiths has annioubnce that the Welsh Government will spend £47m on flood and coastal erosion risk management during the coming financial year:
  • Swansea Vale which would receive  £6.7 million for a scheme that would protect 290 businesses and homes.
  • Ystradgynlais which would receive £2.5 million for a scheme that would protect  244 homes and businesses
  • Fairbourne which would receive  £5.8 million for a scheme that would protect 420 homes and businesses
  • Pontarddulais which would receive  £3 million for a scheme that would protect  246 homes and businesses
  • Coldbrook which would receive £1 million for a scheme that would protect  104 properties
  • Corwen would receive £2.1 million for a scheme that would protect around 100 homes.

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2013/130304spendingprioriites/;jsessionid=782838BFB7EE58F6D8BEA817A1FEA259?skip=1&lang=en
 
A new survey on 'Public perceptions of climate change in Wales' highlight the connection between experience of flooding and people's ideas about climate change. Around 25% of people surveyed had been directly affected by flooding, 1 in 20 had experienced property damage. People want action on mitigation and adaptation, especially flood prevention. Although action is taken locally by communities ourselves, the Environment Agency and local authorities, people think the responsibility for adaptation lies with government (Wales & UK). You should be able to Google the title and get a copy of the report or track it down via the Climate Change Consortium of Wales (C3W)
http://c3wales.org/event_details/launch-public-perceptions-of-climate-change-in-wales/
 
The Environment Agency has warned we must act now to prepare for extreme weather: In 2012, one in five days saw flooding somewhere in Britain; 6,000 flood warnings and alerts were issued; around 8,000 homes flooded...

Facts and Figures on extreme weather in 2012

  • 7,950 properties flooded      
  • 78 days of 2012 saw flooding (1 in 5)
Record breakers

  • Daily river flows across England and Wales as a whole reached record levels on 48 days last year – the highest since records began over 50 years ago (National River Flow Archive)
  • Haydon Bridge gauging station on the South Tyne near Newcastle has gone from the lowest mean monthly flows on record for the time of year in March 2012 of 6.35 m3/sec (which is 27% of the March long term average (LTA)) to the highest mean monthly flows on record for the time of year in June 2012 of 34.1 m3/sec (which is 399% of the June LTA).
  • Gold Bridge gauging station on the Ouse in East Sussex has gone from the lowest mean monthly flows on record for the time of year in March 2012 of 0.804 m3/sec (which is 28% of the March LTA) to the highest mean monthly flows on record for the time of year in July 2012 of 2.820 m3/sec (which is 310% of the July LTA).
See the full warning and quotes from EA Chair Chris Smith http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/146242.aspx AND THE FLIP SIDE IS WE GET MORE DROUGHTS TOO!