UK Households: Sceptical or Down Right Stubborn?

The link between climate change and flooding has become a reality for an increasing number of people in the UK, with 1 in 6 households threatened by flood events (CarbonBrief, 2014). Why is it then, that property-led climate change adaptation and mitigation isn’t taken seriously by the public? Particularly by those living in high-risk flood areas (Bichard & Kazmierczak, 2012)...

Rain fall in southeast and central southern England 1910-2014 

(Source: Met Office, 2014)

Surely it’s an unquestionable progression that as the UKs housing stock grows, household consumption, unsustainable activities, GHG emissions and flooding events will increase. It makes sense then, for households to adopt energy-efficient measures - insulation and thermal glazing etc – and make habitual changes to reduce their climate change contribution. However, whilst it’s encouraging to see households making the effort to conserve energy, what should be black and white is plunged into grey, as members of the public quickly pass the blame and unwanted responsibility to the government - failing to acknowledge their responsibility and the immediacy of climate change and flood risk seriously.

Let’s look at the facts. People aged 45-55 emit the most carbon in the UK – at 50% more than under-25s! The wealthiest households emit twice the amount of carbon as the bottom 10% of UK earners (CSE, 2013). Whether surprised by these figures or not – I admit I was – they do help us to make sense of lacking public participation. Maybe the middle-aged can learn something from the more recently educated, younger generation? Perhaps it isn’t out of the question to encourage the wealthy to invest in more sustainable alternatives and compromise on convenience and comfort?

Mean Annual Carbon Emissions of top and bottom 10% of UK earners (CSE, 2013)

Total and Breakdown of Emissions by top and bottom 10% of UK earners (CSE, 2013)

Unhelpfully, news reports have suggested that the UKs flooding isn’t caused by climate change per-se, but is “self-imposed”; accusing population growth and building on unsuitable areas such as floodplains etc (Harrabin, 2014). So, are the public right to pin the blame and responsibility on the government after all? Or are reports such as these reasons for public scepticism and neglect of responsibility?

BUT on the other hand, such changes come with a significant hit to the public’s piggybanks. Despite saving money long-term, adaptation can only be facilitated by those who can afford it. Is this a significant financial barrier that policy-makers overlook?

It is clear that mitigating GHG emissions in the UK requires government efforts and public participation. However whilst skepticism lingers it looks like it’ll take more than a flood to wash it away.