With wildfires raging across the UK and Europe and more deadly heatwave alerts on the agenda, Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive of WaterAid UK, responds:
“The escalating climate crisis is no longer knocking — it’s battering down the door, with wildfires raging across the UK and Europe this week – a glimpse of what is yet to come but a reality for most.
“The climate crisis is a water crisis, with 90% of all natural disasters water-related. Decades deep in drought and mass flooding, frontline countries have always borne the worst, whilst being deprived of essential global support.
“As we’ve seen this week, the consequences of ignoring this crisis are devastating – families are displaced, disease surges and lives are lost and cutting aid at a time like this is only going to fuel the flames.
“Equipping people with basic essentials like clean water and decent toilets is among the best and most cost-effective way to ensure communities can withstand climate extremes, saving lives and strengthening our global security.
“This is our fire alarm moment. If world leaders do not wake up and come to COP30 with the financial commitment desperately needed, the climate and water crisis will blaze across people and planet, leaving nothing but destruction.”
UK and Europe wildfires a mere “glimpse of what is yet come”, warns WaterAid UK’s Chief Executive
