Climate Change Preparedness

Researchers at Newcastle University have recently published an assessment of the climate change preparedness of 30 urban areas in the UK. They have done this by analysing documents published by the relevant local authorities and mapping their content and intent as mitigation and adaptation scores. A very mixed picture results. Some authorities have apparently well developed mitigation and adaptation strategies whereas others are only just embarking along either road. Very striking, and worrying, is the fact that mitigation appears to be the dominant activity in all areas. I think it is acknowledged that climate change is already upon us so, although there clearly is a requirement for mitigation to lessen future impacts, there is also a certainty that adaptation is an absolute requirement. London and Leicester come out as leaders in the latter; other areas would seem to be badly under-prepared.