The climate crisis will cause sea levels in England to rise to such a high level that 200,000 homes will be at risk by 2050, scientists warn. Certain areas such as Wyre, North Somerset, Sedgemoor and Swale will be particularly under threat of abandonment, as sea levels are predicted to rise by 35cm in less than 30 years.
Researchers say the affected coastal homes, with a combined value of tens of billions of pounds, may be potentially uninhabitable. The cost of installing measures to prevent flooding, such as sea walls and other coastal defences, may be too high, the study concluded.
© John Corry / Shutterstock.com
The stark warning comes from Sir James Bevan, head of the UK’s Environment Agency, who believes it will be “uneconomic” to save hundreds of thousands of coastal homes due to climate change. This could force whole communities to move inland, as their coastal homes become increasingly prone to flooding.
Climate change accelerating
Research shows climate change is speeding up, leading to the predicted rise in sea levels by 2050. In addition, our shores are gradually being eroded, leading to higher waves, particularly when there are storms.
Unfortunately, the storms are more intense than they were 20 years ago. The warmer ocean temperature and higher sea level are expected to intensify the ferocity of storms. This will have a more serious impact on the population as a whole and particularly those people living on the coast.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia’s Tyndall Centre used the latest climate data to reach the figure of around 200,000 homes being at risk of abandonment. The study has been published in the journal, Oceans and Coastal Management, causing widespread alarm.
The lead author of the paper, Paul Sayers, says the significant sea-level rise is “inevitable”. He believes protection from flooding will continue to be provided, but sadly, for some coastal communities, it may not succeed.
Calls for action plan
Mr Sayers and other environmentalists are calling for a “serious national debate” about the severity of the threat to coastal communities. He is urging the government to come up with a “fair and sustainable response” – including what measures will be put in place to help affected people relocate.
Speaking at a conference, Mr Bevan said climate change would mean the loss of coastal areas both in the UK and in other parts of the world. He says we can safely come back from most river flooding and build defences again, but there’s “no coming back” for land where coastal erosion is prevalent, or where it is frequently underwater.
Environmentalists have accused the government of failing to keep up with climate science. In 2018, the Committee on Climate Change warned that one-third of Britain’s coastline was at risk. The water level changes are believed to be coming sooner than people expected.
Landlords set to lose out
Thousands of properties all over the UK have already experienced flooding that has worsened over the past decade. They are at risk of further flooding as the climate worsens, costing landlords billions of pounds, according to the Association of British Insurers.
The industry body warns many properties could become “uninsurable and un-mortgageable”. It suggests the government, insurers and organisations such as the National Flood Forum should collaborate to introduce a “sustainable and affordable” long-term plan for flood insurance UK-wide.
Insurers say they are committed to doing everything in their power to ensure that flood insurance remains as widely available as possible to communities vulnerable to floods. However, it has become a great worry for property owners, including landlords.
Some may face the threat of having their insurance withdrawn. This would leave them in breach of mortgage contracts. In some areas, the owners of properties where there’s a high risk of flooding have received quotes for insurance cover with an excess of up to £20,000 per year.
The effects of flooding already cost the UK around £2.2 billion per year in terms of damage to properties. The prospect of the situation worsening means it’s a very worrying time for landlords.
Help in an emergency
In the event of your property being flooded, help is at hand from Furniture Rental Online. Our emergency furniture rental service can help homeowners, landlords and tenants in any emergency situation, such as a flood.
Our professional services can help insurance companies, loss adjusters, insurance claims handlers and individual householders who have suffered flood or fire damage to their home and need temporary furniture, fast.
In ready-to-use condition, our professional team will deliver and install every item, helping you to achieve some sort of normality as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.