Helping people and wildlife adapt to climate change

ACROSS the globe communities are marking their support for environmental protection as part of Earth Day, an annual event held on April 22 and was founded 55 years ago.

- Jamie Fletcher

Since then, we have seen significant changes in our weather patterns as we all feel the impact of global warming.

As the Environment Agency, our role is to protect and improve the environment. We are helping people and wildlife adapt to climate change and reduce its impacts, including flooding, drought, sea level rise and coastal erosion.

In the North East climate change has meant we’ve seen an increase in flooding. We’re working hard to better protect communities from this risk with a focus on community resilience and with climate change projection built into the design of flood defences to ensure they are fit for the future.

One example of this work in action is the Greatham North East Flood Alleviation Scheme, part of the Tees tide lands programme. This aims to reduce flood risk from the River Tees and Greatham Creek at Port Clarence, while also providing environmental benefits to the Tees Estuary.

This scheme will create around 30 hectares of extra habitat, contributing to the environmental health of the Tees Estuary - as well as better protect 350 homes and 32 business-es from the impact of flooding.