Partner Universities

Extreme Weather The floods of 2007 led to the UK’s largest peacetime emergency since World War II The recent events in Cumbria clearly indicate the effects and impacts of extreme weather The impact of climate change means that the probability of similar flood events is expected to increase Extreme weather also brings hazards such as heatwaves, storms, subsidence, water-shortage, etc..

Commenced early 2008

The aims of CREW The project has been established to: o gain a better understanding of the impacts of extreme weather events (current and future) at the local scale o understand the opportunities and barriers to making local communities more resilient to EWEs o to evaluate a range of technical and adaptive measures for reducing vulnerability to extreme weather o develop a set of tools for informing local communities about likely impacts and offer information on improving resilience

The key beneficiaries of CREW o Decision makers for community resilience o Property owners o Insurance companies o The building industry o Small to medium sized business enterprises (SMEs) o The research community

South London Study Area

How can society assess the full impact of climate change? For local communities to adapt and cope with the hazards of extreme weather requires a full and accurate understanding of their impacts –e.g. on employment, housing and well-being Appropriate quantification of impacts Appropriate cost/benefit calculations Appropriate decisions: Coping measures Location Investment Strategic planning

The cost of climate change Estimates exist at the macro level but are: –Too far removed from the level at which local, practical decisions are made Sub-regional (local) estimates are needed that are pertinent to individual: Householders Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Planners and local decision makers

Now – 2080 FLOOD HEATWAVE SUBSIDENCE £