Storms ravage the government's polling scores as public reflects on flooding
News
Met Office science chief attacked for climate
claim
Climate and energy news:
Storm-ravaged coalition risks disaster at the
polls
David Cameron and Nick Clegg face serious electoral
consequences if they are perceived to have mishandled the floods,
according to an analysis of the constituencies that have suffered
most from the freak weather. As the latest opinion polls show a
surge in anger at government handling of the floods, a precedent
suggests that both coalition parties could run into trouble if they
fail to grasp the issue.
Thames flood defences among schemes hit by
coalition funding cuts
Planned defences along the length of the flood-hit Thames
Valley were delayed and downsized after government funding cuts
following the last election, the Guardian can reveal. The schemes,
totalling millions of pounds, include projects near Heathrow, near
David Cameron’s country home in Oxfordshire and in the constituency
of the minister who oversaw annual flood budget cuts of almost
£100m.
Tony Abbott appoints climate change sceptic to
review energy target
Tony Abbott, Australia’s prime minister, has appointed a
climate change sceptic to review the nation’s renewable energy
target in his latest foray against measures to combat global
warming. Following his move to repeal Labor’s tax on carbon
emissions, Mr Abbott has announced a review that is expected to
scale back renewable energy production.
Energy bills to rise to help Scottish wind farms,
report warns
Consumers face higher energy bills under Ofgem changes
designed to help encourage wind farms in Scotland, experts have
warned. The planned overhaul of network charges will slash costs
for Scottish wind farm developers by £1.3m a year but increase
costs for southern power plants. A new report, published by
consultancy NERA, warns they will do the opposite and put up bills
by £9 a year.
UK weather: Climate change is a threat to national
security, says Ed Miliband
The Mail focuses on criticisms from Tory backbenchers after
both the opposition leader Ed Miliband and defence secretary Philip
Hammond said extreme weather intensified by climate change
threatens national security.
Climate and energy comment:
Greenhouse gas emissions from the
UK
This month the Office of National Statistics released its
latest data on UK greenhouse gas emissions. This graphic, created
by graphic artist Christine Oliver for the Guardian, explains why
emissions are a global problem and which sectors contribute to the
UK’s greenhouse gas mix, says the Guardian.
Heatwave frequency ‘surpasses levels previously
predicted for 2030’
Australia’s government has been urged to better articulate
the dangers of climate change after a report that shows the
frequency of heatwaves in parts of Australia has already surpassed
levels previously predicted for 2030.
Historical record shows these floods are no
high-water mark
The country has been relatively safe from severe flooding
since the 1920s, but prior to then records show the UK experienced
much worse. This piece advises the country should focus more on
long-term flood planning over short-term measures such as dredging
to prepare for what’s to come.
On climate change, Ed Miliband must match his bold
words with real action
This column calls on Ed Miliband to take the opportunity to
lead on climate change. His comments on the flooding this weekend
allow him to differentiate himself from the divided coalition
government and lead a cross-party consensus on climate
action.
It’s a crisis! Miliband’s in need of your
votes
Mail columnist Peter McKay calls Labour leader Ed Miliband
“opportunistic” for linking the UK’s recent extreme weather to
climate change. The column repeats claims made in the Mail on
Sunday about comments by Met Office scientist Mat Collins that
single out the jet stream’s role in the extreme weather rather than
looking at climate change’s overall intensifying effect on storm
and rainfall patterns.
Santa’s revenge: Arctic ice may be putting US in a
long, deep freeze
This blog explains how changes in the Arctic make odd
weather patterns such as the US’s deep freeze more frequent and
persistent when they do occur. This time, as the jet stream’s winds
weaken, cold weather is trapped over the US, winter storms have
been stopped from reaching California, while warm, wet air has been
drawn over the UK and Scandinavia.
New climate science:
Climate change impacts on extreme events in the
United States: an uncertainty analysis
A new study looks at the changes in extreme weather
projected for the US in the coming century. The model shows a
general increase in the frequency and severity of extreme hot
temperatures and extreme rainfall events – but shows the biggest
uncertainty over future changes comes from the choice of policy
approach, not the science.