Last year there were extreme heatwaves in Europe, massive snowfalls in California and catastrophic floods in Libya. This year a 38.5C increase in temperature above seasonal averages was recorded in Antarctica. The weather in East Suffolk seems benign in comparison but records show it is also becoming more extreme and volatile with implications for us all.
This year the Met Office station at Lowestoft recorded both the warmest and wettest February since its records began. In 2023/24 we also had more named storms than ever before. As a result, there was frequent and extensive flooding across East Suffolk with damage to homes and gardens, roads and crops. Yet in February 2023 the Lowestoft station had recorded the driest February since records began with only 4.4mm of rainfall, less than 5% of that recorded this year.
Fighting to lessen the impending climate emergency has always been at the core of Green Party policy but global inaction means continuing climate change is now inevitable. Here in East Suffolk we need to prepare for changes including rising sea levels, more strong storms, flash flooding, heat waves and droughts. Climate change will also threaten the supply chain for imported food for people and animals and accelerate global migration as parts of the world become uninhabitable.
I believe we need urgent action from local and national government which should include the following:
- Undertake a climate risk assessment for East Suffolk and develop a strategic plan for adaptation.
- Review climate related policies in the Local Plan, including restrictions on building on flood plains.
- Update the Shoreline Management Plan to take account of the latest sea level projections.
- Develop a plan involving local government and health and social care services to reduce stress and excess mortality arising from heatwaves,
- Ensure better management of water supplies for domestic, business and agricultural uses.
As a Green MP I would push for all these actions and work with everyone who cares about ensuring a liveable future for us all.
This piece was first published in the May editions of the Felixstowe and Martlesham Flyers https://www.flyeronline.co.uk and in the Tide Collection (Aldeburgh, Leiston, Saxmundham and Southwold editions) https://www.leistonpress.com/printing/tide-collection/
JULIAN CUSACK