Letter to the editor: A new strategy needed in Chichester to tackle Climate Change
“Chichester under greater threat than ever from Climate Chance” was the headline written published in the Observer November 13th, 2025 I predicted Climate change would manifest itself in a series of cataclysmic events. At that time, I thought they would be sometime in the future. The unprecedented rainfall over a prolonged period, the highest for 124 years, has resulted in widespread flooding particularly severe in coastal areas. Climate change is here and here to stay.
If we accept Climate Change is already with us and severe, then we need a new strategy to cope with the unpredictable and severe weather patterns now. The opportunity to prevent the worst effects of global warming by moving to zero carbon is now almost certainly too late. Weather agencies and climate scientists have pointed to the possibility of an El Niño forming in the Pacific Ocean later this year – a phenomenon that could push global temperatures to all-time record highs in 2027. The warming of the ocean is leading to the extreme climate events and likely to be worse in the future.
If this is the future, then new strategies are needed to cope with this new norm.
As usual other countries are much further ahead and one project DISTENDER is developing policies that jointly prioritize mitigation and adaptation, and to limit the severity of impacts, exposure and vulnerability to climate change risks. One city in the project is Valencia in Spain which already had extensive flood mitigations schemes in place, but they were unable to cope with the current climate change.
A new strategy is needed for Chichester and surrounding areas recognising the impact of Climate Change. First, we need to stop making things worse and that really means no new housing south of the A27. Building design needs to be radically reviewed to give some form of flood resistance, cope with large rainfall and have appropriate drainage. Infrastructure such as roads and railway lines need to be raised up and utilities protected. Major engineering works may be required to ensure that the new levels of water can reach the sea without flooding. Run off from fields could be greatly reduced using new techniques such as Regenerative Agriculture where the soil is never left uncovered and undisturbed. There may also need to be strategic withdraws from the coast as the cost of coastal defence escalates.
Can we afford it? Can we afford not to do it? The costs of just the present floods are going to be very significant, and we are only at the start of the impact of Climate change.
Richard Plowman
Mayor of Chichester 2005,2019,2020
Finalist NALC councillor of the year 2021
Chichester Town Crier
Worcester Road
Chichester