By Paul Homewood James Bevan beclowns himself again! The UK can no longer be considered a wet country because of the effects of climate change, the head of the environment agency has said, as he urged people to turn off taps and take showers to save water. More than 70 per cent of […]

UK is no longer a ‚wet and rainy‘ country, head of Environment Agency says — NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood

James Bevan beclowns himself again!

The UK can no longer be considered a wet country because of the effects of climate change, the head of the environment agency has said, as he urged people to turn off taps and take showers to save water.

More than 70 per cent of the county perceive the UK as a wet and rainy country and believe we have enough water to meet our needs, according to a new report supported by Sir James Bevan.

In a foreword, Sir James said that perception was “wrong”, despite the flooding seen during recent Storms Ciara and Dennis. Periods of extreme dry weather, linked to climate change, are putting strains on our water resources, with demand threatening to outstrip supply within 20 years, he said. 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/18/uk-no-longer-wet-rainy-country-head-environment-agency-says

What planet is this guy on?

Rainfall has been increasing in the UK since the 1970s. This is, admittedly, mainly due to higher rainfall in Scotland, but in England itself long term trends are flat:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-temperature-rainfall-and-sunshine-time-series

As for these periods of extreme dry weather, linked to climate change, you have to go back to 2003 to find the last really dry year, one of the ten driest.

Spring and summer, traditionally the driest seasons, are also not getting drier in England, nor is there any evidence of the extreme dry weather, linked to climate change, which Bevan talks about:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-temperature-rainfall-and-sunshine-time-series

And don’t just take my word for it, even the Met Office tell us that there is no evidence to support Bevan’s contentions:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/understanding-climate/uk-extreme-events_drought

Far from the public’s perception being wrong, I suggest it is James Bevan who needs to be reminded of the facts.