Prince Charles: Storm Desmond floods highlight need to tackle climate change
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Version 0 of 1. The devastating flooding caused by Storm Desmond is linked to the failure to tackle climate change, the “root cause” of the problem, according to Prince Charles. The Prince, whose charity has given £40,000 to affected communities, also lashed out at climate sceptics in a speech on Thursday. “What right do they have to sacrifice our children and grandchildren’s future?” The flooding in Cumbria, caused by record rainfall, has forced thousands of people from their homes and caused damage estimated at £500m. Scientists said on Friday that global warming had made the flooding 40% more likely to occur. “You can’t simply ‘adapt’ to the ever-increasing, unprecedented levels of rainfall,” said Charles. “Already the flood defences erected after the last floods a few years ago have been overwhelmed.” “So how long must we wait before we tackle the root cause of an accelerating economic, social and environmental disaster?” he asked. “How long before people who should know better stop lobbying against the only sane course and, instead, lobby to ‘re-wire’ our whole unfit-for-purpose economy?” The government has been criticised for previous cuts to flood defence spending and the postponement of projects in affected areas. Flooding is the greatest climate change threat for the UK, according to the government’s own scientists. In October, the government rejected advice from its own climate change advisers for action to cut the impact of extreme floods. Charles, a long standing advocate of climate change action, helped open the crucial UN talks in Paris, which are due to conclude on Saturday. On Thursday, he reiterated his hope that an ambitious deal would be reached. “Humanity faces many threats but none - none - is greater than climate change, which magnifies every hazard and tension of our existence,” he said. “The good news is that we have the knowledge and the tools to have a chance of staying within 2C [of warming].” But he sharply criticised climate sceptics and noted the New York State Attorney General was investigating ExxonMobil and coal giant Peabody Energy over claims they misled the public and investors about the dangers and potential business risks associated with climate change. On Tuesday an investigation by Greenpeace revealed that two prominent climate sceptics were available for hire to write reports casting doubt on the dangers posed by global warming, while keeping the source of the funding secret. Charles also urged investors to consider divesting their funds from fossil fuel companies. The divestment campaign, which is backed by the Guardian, has seen funds worth over $3tn commit to sell off coal, oil and gas stocks. “Imagine if all asset owners invested in a way compatible with limiting the rise in average global temperatures to two degrees,” he said. Citing the example of the Environment Agency Pension Fund’s divestment, he said: “Not only do they believe that it is their legal duty to consider the impacts of climate change, but that it is also entirely consistent with securing the best long-term returns.” |