In the U.K. we are having fabulous weather. Day after day of sunshine and heat.
It is the type of weather we would love to predict each year, like many sunshine countries.
Our way of life suddenly becomes different, with time spent out of doors, BBQ`ing, having a dip in the water, and children and adults being able to have activities outside.
It has a practical side too, as energy bills take a nose dive as we no longer need heating, or spend so much time using electrical appliances.
Even our food preferences change, as we don`t crave comfort food, but opt for healthier options such as fruit and salads .
Vast quantities of water and liquids are also required to keep bodies hydrated, so tea and coffee machines have a rest.
We know that by the law of averages, it may all come to an end, and usually just before the long school holidays.
However, if the scientists and weather forecasters are correct in their predictions, it seems that we may indeed have warmer summers in the future. Climate change has most definitely made itself felt, as for several years now, some pretty unusual weather has been experienced throughout the world.
Many countries have had extremes of heat and cold, excessive rain causing floods, forest fires resulting in massive devastation, and violent storms often destroying vulnerable communities.
There is more than one theory for this shift in climate.
The overwhelming evidence does point to the human abuse of the planet which has reacted in extreme ways.
Others maintain that every so often, the world undergoes a massive climatic shift, using examples of areas which were once green and are now under ice, or water, and dessert areas where once rivers flowed.
Regardless of which theory is supported, it is clear that something is happening.
Are we prepared for it?
Perhaps it will take hundreds of years to see how our planet finally looks following changes, but there are things that can be done now to help minimize the negative sides.
In the U.K. we may be lucky as our climate tends to be wet, not very warm and pretty unpredictable.
We may complain about the weather, but to date we don`t have extremes.
If predictions are correct, and we do start to experience warmer, drier summers, then we must be prepared for the down sides as well as enjoying the up sides.
What should we look out for and prepare for?
Having such a high rainfall, and being surrounded by water, it is the one commodity that we must look after.
Water is required to sustain life of all kinds. Human, animal, marine and plant.
Without it we would eventually die.
We can see what drought in other countries can do.Humans and livestock become emaciated and they can`t grow crops for food if they have no water.
We should be planning how to conserve our water for the future, and indeed perhaps export it to other countries.
Sea water could be utilized and processed for domestic and utility uses after removing the high salt content.
Sources of water could be tapped into while they are still underground and not wasted by running nowhere in particular and evaporating in hot weather.
We may have to pay for our water by increasing water taxes.
Ancient water systems with leaks should be replaced as many thousands of gallons of water are wasted each year by escaping from burst piping and just leeching into the ground.
Wasteful garden hose pipes and swimming pools may have to be strictly monitored, and alternative methods of gardening and plant maintenance altered.
Farmers could look at efficient ways to hydrate animals and crops, as they could suffer greatly, affecting the food chain.
When certain areas have flooding, the drainage systems must be working properly and maintained.
There are too many stories of areas being flooded and then traced back to clogged up drainage systems where water overflows..
We moan about our rainfall, but if we didnt have it, we would suffer in all sorts of ways.
Instead of complaining, there should be a plan forming and ready to implement. In fact, preliminary measures should be put in place now.
Even if we don`t require extreme measures yet, we could still use our resources for export to countries that do need water.
It is a mammoth task, and will take many years to co-ordinate, so let`s hope that plans are afoot to meet the challenge, and we can enjoy the benefits of a sunnier climate in the future.
