Friends of the Earth reacts to Environment Agency’s strategy to tackle flooding and coastal change

Focus must first and foremost be on slashing emissions so that we can avoid the worst consequences of climate chaos in the first place.

Reacting to the Environment Agency’s strategy to tackle flooding and coastal change, Mike Childs, head of science at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Politicians tend to respond to disasters like floods and wildfires by focusing on the emergency response – whether that’s sending in the army or piling up sandbags. But that’s a very near-sighted approach when faced with runaway climate breakdown.

“Smarter adaptation and resilience building – including natural flood management measures like tree-planting – is undeniably important but the focus must first and foremost be on slashing emissions so that we can avoid the worst consequences of climate chaos in the first place.

“With its relentless pursuit of fracking, airport expansion, and road building, and barely tepid support for renewable energy, our government is failing with this regard.”