Rainy Start to the Summer

Spring has been unusually dry this year—warmer than average, too. Climate change is here, and it worries me. The signs are subtle but undeniable: shifting seasons, erratic weather, stronger storms, and inconsistent rainfall. These patterns are changing in ways we don’t fully understand.

As the planet warms, wet regions experience heavier rainfall, while dry areas suffer prolonged droughts. Rivers are running low, wetlands are drying out, and water security is becoming a growing concern. This isn’t some distant crisis—it’s happening now. My local rivers, once reliable, have reduced flows, and I dread to think what’s happening to vulnerable ecosystems elsewhere. Reservoirs aren’t being replenished properly, creating major problems for long-term water storage.

Yet, the irony is that rain now arrives in sudden, overwhelming bursts. When dry land is hit with excessive rainfall, flooding becomes unavoidable. Parched ground can’t absorb water effectively, so drainage systems are overwhelmed. A simple demonstration proves the point—pour water onto dry soil in a plant pot, and watch how quickly it spills over instead of soaking in.

This isn’t just about water security; it’s about adapting our infrastructure. We need serious investment in flood defences, reservoirs, storm management systems, and urban planning. Climate adaptation isn’t about quick fixes—it requires long-term strategies.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Voters often demand simple answers. After devastating floods, they expect politicians to reassure them: “Yes, we will fix that.” But rebuilding isn’t always the best option. Coastal populations are particularly vulnerable as rising sea levels push water into low-lying areas, worsening the problem.

Ignoring these risks will be far more expensive than taking action now. Investing in climate resilience is like buying an insurance policy—it reduces future costs and prevents catastrophic losses. Imagine having to relocate large portions of London. The costs of displacement, infrastructure failure, and economic disruption would be astronomical compared to preventative measures we could take today.

A simpler analogy? Think of car repairs. You might delay a fix to save money now, but if you wait too long, the damage worsens, and suddenly you’re forced to replace the entire car instead of just repairing it. That’s climate change in a nutshell—we’re postponing manageable solutions, only to face much higher costs down the road. The key difference is that we can’t replace the Earth; we only have one.

The Energy Dilemma

Politicians don’t always frame the issue honestly. If something sounds too good to be true—like drastic cost-cutting measures or quick fixes—it probably is. Much of today’s “money-saving” policies rely on borrowed funds, meaning promises to cut energy bills now could result in even higher costs later.

The UK’s high electricity costs stem from decisions made years ago. Linking energy prices to gas and fossil fuels was seen as a way to lower costs at the time, but now, as we transition away from fossil fuels, prices remain high due to that outdated model. Some politicians advocate slashing green initiatives to lower prices, but many of these arguments are driven by fossil fuel lobbying. The reality? We need cheaper borrowing and a massive increase in energy capacity to bring costs down—not short-term price manipulation that creates deeper problems in the future.

Think of it like carrying a spare tyre—you pay upfront for security, ensuring you’re prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

A Broken Political System and Habit Change

Public trust in politics has eroded, and people are desperate for change. But understanding the true cost of policy decisions requires digging deeper into data. Social media reinforces existing beliefs, pushing people toward extremes rather than balanced solutions. Algorithms create silos, where alternative viewpoints are dismissed outright. Simple, attractive promises gain traction—yet they often ignore the real trade-offs involved.

Doing nothing is a choice, and it comes with enormous consequences. The challenge isn’t just raising awareness—it’s convincing people to act. The new age of media means traditional information flow is flipped; downstream sources are shaping narratives faster than official institutions can respond. New sources of information are shaping the narratives of everyone else, feeding misinformation and disinformation, further corroding trust. Politicians have done little to counter this. Following, not leading, is not how you do politics.

Yet, I see this as an opportunity. It’s easy to spiral into a doom loop, but we also have a chance to rebuild and repair. Some argue, “If we’re the only ones making changes, why should we bother?” But human behaviour is influenced by trends—if people see others adopting sustainable practices, they’re more likely to follow.

Think of a shift in transportation habits: If more people start walking instead of driving, traffic decreases, creating a positive cycle where walking becomes the norm. Make public transport a viable option—build it, and people will come. The challenge is making these habit changes permanent. The same applies to how we treat the environment—the most difficult part will be shifting attitudes and behaviours on a large scale.

The Bottom Line

We need politicians who can explain complex issues in simple, compelling ways. That’s not always easy or even possible, as the current system is built to resist transparency. Climate change, energy security, and infrastructure adaptation are all interconnected, but they require honest conversations. Pretending solutions are simple only delays action, making the problem worse. The cost of inaction will be far greater than the cost of taking decisive steps now. Every tough choice has trade-offs, and I wish more people were honest about that.

The world is changing faster than we expected. Our biggest challenge isn’t just understanding it—it’s ensuring people grasp the urgency and take meaningful action before it’s too late. We are approaching critical tipping points, where the damage may become irreversible. There is only one planet, and it’s time we started respecting it—not only for ourselves but for future generations.

We must learn to coexist with nature, rather than behave as if we control it. The truth is, we have the technology and solutions to address climate change now—but action requires the will to implement them. If we wait too long, the price will be far greater than we can afford.

The rain has stopped, and my windows have dried. Calm is necessary in times of crisis, alongside competence and an understanding of the world’s complexity. After all, that is why politicians exist—to act as leaders. As I said earlier, if something sounds too good to be true, it normally is.