… The impending crisis – which could have widespread consequences for farmers, food production, tourism, industry and domestic life – has been building for the past 18 months. Reservoirs were already low this time last year. Then came 2011, the driest year in England and Wales for 90 years. In addition, we are now experiencing the driest winter on record, though this could change over the next few weeks, meteorologists have said. The crucial point is that boreholes and reservoirs are now at “notably low” or “exceptionally low” levels. |
Things are different now, and weather patterns appear to be changing. What was once a climate conducive to crops will eventually no longer be. People are going to want to move to where the water is, and the people who are already there, aren't going to be particularly welcoming, methinks.