Mister Green

The Big Freeze



Every winter at some point, Britain grinds to a halt because of exceptionally severe weather conditions. The point is not the question of whether the conditions are exceptional but how we as individuals react to the disruption caused. Mostly, if the media are to be believed, we try to find someone to blame for our woes- the government has not done this or that, or local councils have not stockpiled enough salt for the roads. But the reality is that as individuals, we have failed to get our minds right. We expect to be able to drive from London to Sheffield in three hours in January because we can in June. We expect technology to make it happen. But here’s the thing- we have come to think of the UK climate as relatively benign. But it isn’t. These are not sporadic anomalies. In Siberia and Scandinavia it freezes in autumn and thaws in the spring- one freeze/thaw cycle. In the UK it may freeze and thaw dozens of times in a winter. This not only causes problems with transport. Frost damage to buildings and roads can be extensive. As individuals we need to adjust our behaviour and expectations. We expect to put on more clothes in the winter, but we don’t expect the roads to be blocked. Climate change may increase the frequency of extreme weather conditions, so stock up the larder, block up the draughts, fit more insulation………..