Working with nature

Climate change is now affecting our lives in a very direct way with the flooding stories in the UK over the past few weeks. Perhaps our reliance on technological solutions needs rebalancing in favour of adopting natural systems, that is working with nature rather than trying to subdue it. The article below shows how a back to nature approach to flood alleviation not only can work better then heavy engineering solutions but also costs a lot less and is much more nature and community friendly. 

As we face continued financial uncertainty in the global financial markets perhaps our approach to major infrastructure (including buildings and architecture) needs to be radically adjusted. After all it is unsustainable sprawl development in the US, now exported to countries around the globe including the UK, that has been a significant contributor to creating the financial crisis. This has resulted in toxic mortgages, unsustainable car dominated drive to survive policies and increased flooding, among other disastrous outcomes. Despite the commitments at COP21 we are still struggling to keep the global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius. Much more needs to be done.  

Despite all, may 2016 be a good one for the earth and all of us on it. 

Noel Isherwood