While we don't want to "ambulance chase" at ClimateX, the terrible flooding across Oxfordshire and other parts of Central England raises some critical questions.
In particular, the VALUABLE LESSONS we can all learn from HOW WE COPED.
But first, it is somewaht pointless discussing whether this flooding is due, even partly, to climate change. The current science is not up to answering that question. What the science does suggest (indeed it is spreading over the media this week with some new research coming out) is that we will get MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS like the intense rain we've had.
So we need to learn how to cope, how to prepare, how to adapt, etc. The emergency services appear to have done a great job...and they've worked some incredibly long hours. They will do their reviews and surely learn a lot of lessons.
BUT ALSO, there is an IMMENSE amount of KNOWLEDGE across the Oxfordshire community now about how we responded. It would be FANTASTIC to share this. Time and again people are saying what a great community spirit has appeared. We must build on this, SWAP OUR STORIES, our insights. The clever things we did. The disastrous things we shouldn't have done.
The COLLECTIVE OXON FLOOD RESPONSE BRAIN is now an incredibly valuable asset for us all. How do we capture it, support it, hold on to it, so that next time we don't re-invent countless wheels, but do an even better job of protecting ourselves?
So do let us know your experiences, your ideas, the things you/your community discovered which others should know:
what tips about SANDBAGGING your front and back doors?
how did your community CHECK ON THE MOST VULNERABLE people?
which were the best sources of information?
