THE recent bad weather has provoked an unseemly squabble over who to blame for flooding; however we need to focus on the cause — higher rainfall.  

In 2006 the economist Nicholas Stern produced a review which suggested that it would prove far more costly to do nothing about climate change, than it would to invest in the transition to a low carbon economy.  

We now begin to see some of the consequences of climate change unfold, affecting farming, transport and general infrastructure.  

Dealing with the immediate effects of flooding is costly, and we also sustain damage to our economy — for example by currently having no rail access west of Exeter.  

We urgently need to take stock of the situation and commit to reducing global warming, while taking steps to mitigate its effects.  

There are no easy or short-term solutions but there is still a chance to slow down climate change: this is the collective challenge we face.

Chris Simpson

Warren Lane

Tavistock