Floods have caused havoc across much of the UK. Many are now asking, ‘Have decisions made by the public and politicians made things worse?’ It is suggested that the following has contributed:
-Four million residential properties currently sit on flood plains or places with a one in 1,000 risk of flooding each year. -The argument over dredging has grown since the 2013/14 Somerset floods. -River straightening causes faster flow and more dangerous floods downstream. -Trees act as a natural flood defence, but there aren’t enough now growing on river banks. As a result of recent events the Environment Agency, farmers and politicians are discussing ways to remedy our failure to care for our land effectively and how we address the effects of climate change. We can pray for effective action to protect our land as a result of these discussions. See also article 2 in the World section of this week’s Prayer Alert.