The UK government has announced a substantial investment of £2.6 billion to develop new flood defense systems over the next two years. Unfortunately, traditional approaches will get most of this funding. Yet, as the story of Pittsburgh demonstrates, there is a rising tide advocating the use of natural flood management techniques. These initiatives aim to alleviate the increasing threat of flooding, particularly in regions like Leicester, where recent heavy rainfall has caused extensive damage.
As worries about climate change grow, people like volunteer Lis Gibbs, 50, are spearheading efforts in natural flood absorption techniques. Gibbs expresses hope, stating that these efforts allow community members to make tangible differences, contrasting sharply with the often-overwhelming feelings associated with climate change. Yet Dan Scott, a natural capital program leader at Trent Rivers Trust, points to a foundational hurdle. Local decision-makers and community members are still sometimes skeptical about the effectiveness of these innovative, greener approaches.
The Urgency of the Flooding Crisis
Flooding has shifted into an inescapable social issue in the UK. According to Steven Forest, the director of the Flood Risk Management Program at the University of Hull, its importance is on the rise. Recent climate events have led to insurance payouts exceeding £400 million in 2022 and anticipated payouts of over £570 million in 2023 and 2024, with half of these claims related to flooding. More than 6.3 million properties in the UK are now at risk of flooding. That figure is projected to skyrocket to over 8 million by 2050, reflecting our dire need for proven solutions.
Internationally, the Netherlands and United States are using cutting-edge approaches to manage floods. For example, the Netherlands has adopted a “room for the river” policy during periods of extreme rainfall. At the same time, the U.S. established vegetative “buffer zones” after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. These examples are just a few recent success stories that show how proactive measures can dramatically reduce the impact of floods.
Local Initiatives in Leicester
Leicester’s going to be the first city in the UK to put in a number of environmental or natural flood management projects to protect the city from flooding. The city is experiencing the impact of extreme and chronic rainfall, which has caused catastrophic flooding. This failing flood defense highlighted the dire need for better, stronger flood defenses. Dan Scott, who heads up outreach programs for Trent Rivers Trust, is working to defend rivers like Saffron Brook.
Leicester Volunteers working with Trent Rivers Trust have come together to reduce the risk of flooding in Leicester. They created small scale wooden installations in Saffron Brook, engineered to slow water velocity. The archaeological team excavating the pond, near the town of Loughborough. They built dozens of rickety wooden barricades designed mostly to protect the houses downstream that have a long history of being flooded.
Scott points out that natural flood management techniques would be used alongside existing flood defense structures, like retention basins and canals. Combining these approaches fosters a more resilient built and natural landscape that can better weather the increasing frequency of severe weather events.
Expanding Natural Flood Management Efforts
This includes money for at least 35 more natural flood management projects around the country funded by the recent government commitment just across England. These green infrastructure projects are designed to use the power of nature to slow stormwater runoff down and prevent flooding. They are an exciting development on how we can more effectively shape our landscapes to build climate resilience.
The proactive measures being taken in Leicester and other parts of England reflect a growing recognition that fostering natural ecosystems can play a vital role in flood management. By implementing these nature-based solutions, communities can protect themselves from flooding while reducing their risks. Throughout, their innovative practices change the ecological landscape around them—always for the better.