Cameron “suspects” extreme weather linked to climate change

At the first Prime Ministers’ Questions of the New Year, David Cameron revealed that he “very much suspects” increased incidents of extreme weather are linked to climate change. In comments that may not please his climate sceptic Conservative colleagues, the Prime Minister acknowledged that climate change was likely to be contributing to an increase in extreme weather experienced by the UK and underlined his commitment to the Climate Change Act and the government’s Green Investment Bank.  Responding to a question from Lib Dem President Tim Farron in which he asserted that there was “no doubt” climate change was having some impact on extreme weather and urged Cameron to commit to climate change targets, the Prime Minister stopped short of confirming that he would block any changes to the current fourth carbon budget when it is reviewed this year. But he insisted the government was “committed to carbon reduction targets” and had taken steps to ensure that they are met, such as the launch of the Green Investment Bank. Earlier the shadow Environment team implied that the Secretary of State Owen Patterson’s well-documented climate scepticism could undermine the UK’s ability to respond to worsening extreme weather impacts.
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Cameron “suspects” extreme weather linked to climate change

Prime Minister commits Defra to report on whether UK flood preparedness is adequate in light of climate threat

By James Murray

8 Jan 2014 (Business Green)

Flooding by Environment Agency

The first Prime Ministers’ Questions of the New Year saw climate change back at the top of the political agenda, as David Cameron revealed that he “very much suspects” increased incidents of extreme weather are linked to climate change.

In comments that will anger some of his climate sceptic colleagues, the Prime Minister acknowledged that climate change was likely to be contributing to an increase in extreme weather experienced by the UK and underlined his commitment to the Climate Change Act and the government’s Green Investment Bank.

Responding to a question from Lib Dem President Tim Farron in which he asserted that there was “no doubt” climate change was having some impact on extreme weather and urged Cameron to commit to climate change targets, the Prime Minister stopped short of confirming that he would block any changes to the current fourth carbon budget when it is reviewed this year.

But he insisted the government was “committed to carbon reduction targets” and had taken steps to ensure that they are met, such as the launch of the Green Investment Bank.

The exchange came after Labour leader Ed Miliband challenged the Prime Minister to explain why it had taken longer than expected to restore power to some households affected by the recent flooding and asked him whether Defra would now report by the end of the month on the current level of flood preparedness.

Cameron confirmed that Defra would report again on the response to the floods and future flood plans, reiterating his argument that flood defence work had helped to protect around 800,000 homes last month and stressing that government and private sector money was being invested in flood protection.

Exchanges during PMQs were notably more civil than in recent months, however Cameron and Defra can expect to face tough questions over the government’s flood strategy in the coming weeks, with Labour and green groups arguing that government spending on flood management has fallen in real terms during this parliament.

Miliband’s question on Defra’s “flood preparedness” follows a report from MPs earlier this week that questioned whether the department could deliver steep budget cuts and remain responsive to emergencies.

It also echoes questioning of Environment Secretary Owen Paterson by Labour MPs this week, during which the shadow Environment team implied that the Secretary of State’s well-documented climate scepticism could undermine the UK’s ability to respond to worsening extreme weather impacts.

Most notably, critics have highlighted how the government’s new Flood Re insurance scheme fails to take account of future climate projections, meaning that thousands of at-risk households could end up uninsured.

Friends of the Earth’s executive director, Andy Atkins, said that Paterson now had “serious questions to answer” about Defra’s flood preparedness and climate adaptation strategy.

“With Owen Paterson in charge of defending the country from flooding, the government’s credibility is sinking fast,” he said. “The Environment Secretary says the government is spending more on flood defences, when in fact he’s presided over a real-terms cut and hundreds of Environment Agency jobs are under threat – his refusal to accept the science of climate change may be blinding him to the human costs of the consequences of this.”

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2321716/cameron-suspects-extreme-weather-linked-to-climate-change

 

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8 January 2014  (BBC)

Cameron ‘suspects’ floods linked to climate change

The floods affecting large parts of the country are probably connected to climate change, David Cameron has said.

The prime minister told MPs that there were more “abnormal” weather events occurring and he “suspected” they were linked to global temperature changes.

Several senior Conservatives, including former Chancellor Lord Lawson, are professed “climate change sceptics”.

Whatever the reason for the recent weather, Mr Cameron said it made sense to invest in the UK’s flood defences.

David Cameron says floods around the UK over the last few weeks are probably connected to climate change

The government has insisted it is spending more on flood defence than its predecessor but critics say budget cuts in recent year have affected planning, maintenance and the capacity to respond to incidents.

Shortly after taking office in 2010, Mr Cameron pledged to lead the “greenest government ever” but critics have accused ministers of rowing back on a range of commitments in the face of business and political concerns.

Some Tory MP and peers, Lord Lawson being the most prominent, have cast doubt on scientific theories on climate change which argue that human activity is predominately responsible for recent rises in global temperatures.


Quote

Colleagues across the House can argue about whether that is linked to climate change or not. I very much suspect that it is”

David Cameron

Labour has suggested Mr Paterson, who became environment secretary in 2012, is sympathetic to their views and suggested this may have influenced decisions on flood budgets – claims described as “nonsense” by government sources.

Speaking on the BBC’s Any Questions programme in June, Mr Paterson said the climate had been “going up and down” for centuries and pointed out that the earth’s surface temperature “has not changed in the last 17 years”.

“The real question, that everyone is trying to address, is this influenced by man-made activity in recent years.”

“There is almost certainly bound to be some influence by man-made activity but we have just got to be rational and make sure the measures we take to counter it do not actually cause more damage,” he said.

Carbon act

Mr Cameron made the comments in response to a question from Lib Dem MP Tim Farron, who suggested the recent weather was a “destructive and inevitable consequence, at least in part, of climate change”.

Mr Cameron replied: “I agree with you that we are seeing more abnormal weather events. Colleagues across the House can argue about whether that is linked to climate change or not. I very much suspect that it is.

“The point is that whatever one’s view it makes sense to invest in flood defences…It makes sense to get information out better and we should do all of those things.”

The prime minister said the coalition was committed to reducing carbon emissions and meeting its international targets.

“We worked with the last government to put the Carbon Act into place. It wouldn’t have happened without our support,” he added.

“We also have the Green Investment Bank up and running in Edinburgh and it’s going to be investing billions of pounds in important green projects.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25656426

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