Labour’s European Parliament member for the South West, Clare Moody, says the forthcoming conference on climate change in Paris next month could be vital for areas like the Somerset Levels that are prone to flooding.
Clare has been organising meetings ahead of the summit, including a visit to the South West regional headquarters of the Met Office. She said:
“This year will be one degree warmer meaning we are half way towards the two degree increase that is viewed as catastrophic. Coming away from the summit in Paris with tangible outcomes is incredibly important for the future of our planet.
Impact of flooding
“If we don’t make progress, then areas like the Somerset Levels will find themselves flooded more often as climate change brings with it more frequent, wetter winters. We need to highlight examples like the communities of the Somerset Levels to raise awareness of the impact climate change is already having and that without an agreement things will get worse.
“The physical devastation that flooding causes is only one side of the story though. When discussing flooding with the local residents they told me about the mental and psychological impact flooding has and the long term mental health issues that this can cause.”
Read more at: http://www.claremoodymep.com/climate_change_summit