There is now a clear and overwhelming opinion that the earth�s climate is being affected by human activities, which is largely due to burning fossil fuels.
Even the most optimistic projections indicate that some climate change is inevitable.
The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) anticipates that by 2080;
Summer temperatures will rise by 1 to 5�C.
Winter storms and heavier winter precipitation will be more frequent.
Summer precipitation will decrease by up to 60 per cent.
Impacts of climate change on the built environment may include increased risks of flooding, overheating, storm damage and subsidence.
Around 5 million people in 2 million homes live in flood risk areas in England and Wales.
It is often difficult to get building insurance in areas susceptible to flooding.
Added to the requirements for more housing the pressure to develop land on which flooding could occur will increase.
Designers need to be consider and understand flood risks at the earliest stage of the design process.
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