Flooded Britain: Is flooding a result of climate change?

The Thames Barrier is 25 years old today, and given the recent spate of floods in Britain, today's citizens must be pleased about their parents' foresight in constructing this huge flood defense. At least in this one instance. The anniversary prompts the UK Met Office to ponder the climate change links to flooding, and as usual, they find the evidence mixed and inconclusive. The Met Office's climate change expert, Matt Huddleston, acknowledges that increased rain and flooding are a "climate change signal," but won't say that the link is conclusively proved.

In an article on their website, Lloyd's takes note of the climate change connections and discusses the projections for increased flooding in 2008 and considers the insurance industry's response. As usual, they recommend that businesses and individuals take out more insurance. Not surprising advice from an insurer, but in this case, probably well-taken. They also call for more government effort to mitigate flooding and its effects.

Photo of the Thames Barrier by R Haworth (Wikimedia Commons).