Why climate resilience is just as important as tackling climate change
The impact of climate change can no longer be brushed off as a concern for other parts of the world. This summer provided the most vivid evidence of why Britain must become more climate resilient.
The season was characterised by heatwave after heatwave and if anyone was tempted to dismiss the dangers associated with extreme temperatures, then they only had to look at the wildfires that engulfed parts of the country. These were followed up with declarations of drought across Britain.
While a lot of the emphasis has rightly been on slowing down climate change, policymakers must now confront the reality that the impacts of the climate crisis are here and that Britain must adapt accordingly. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee’s report today provides food for thought. It calls for new fire-fighting planes, bans on disposable barbecues and Australian-style public awareness campaigns.
Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the Efra Committee, says “Britain needs a cultural shift that puts us in step with fire-savvy nations such as Australia”.
In the past, comparing British summers to those of Australia’s would have been absurd. However, this is the reality we face. Carrying on as we are would be grossly negligent. This past summer was not a one-off.
Rural communities need to be at the heart of any climate resilience strategy. Often they are the ones left picking up the pieces after wildfires, as we saw in Yorkshire in 2025 after the Langdale Moor fire. These communities are also the best equipped to help make the country more resilient to the impacts of climate change.