"I was surprised to read Andy Shaw’s letter in last week’s Express and particularly surprised to read that Wakefield Council should be focusing on flood prevention not climate change.

This does not correspond to the Express story I read online where Coun Farmer praised Wakefield Council’s response to the flood, or the unanimous vote to declare the climate emergency last year.

Mr Shaw has not acknowledged that the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the recent flooding, is due to climate change.

As the atmosphere warms, it holds more water. Therefore, when we have extreme storm conditions, rainfall is more intense and lasts longer - hence the flooding across the country.

placeholder image — "Mr Shaw has not acknowledged that the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the recent flooding, is due to climate change." | jpimedia

Further, what was considered a one in 100 year event now happens every few years. Ask the people in the upper Calder valley!

Of course we all agree that local authorities across the country need to be given central government funding to protect homes and businesses from floods. But to separate the flooding from climate change is a major misunderstanding, and a denial of the reality of the world’s climate.

Wakefield Council is not trying to change the climate. Quite the opposite, in fact - to prevent climate change.

As such, Wakefield Council are right to plan to become a zero carbon authority - every public and private body needs to make such plans in order to prevent even worse flooding in the years to come."

Stuart Boothman

Wakefield Friends of the Earth and Just Transition Wakefield.