Floods of excuses

Quote

“But O the change! the winds grow high; Impending tempests charge the sky;
The lightning flies, the thunder roars; And big waves lash the frightened shores.”

Matthew Prior, English poet (1664-1721)

News

This has been the wettest winter for parts of Britain since records began in 1776.  A relentless series of storms has battered the British Isles, causing £600 million of damage and leaving thousands of homes flooded. 

In a country that is quick to point the finger in blame, various ‘villains’ have emerged: government spending cuts, failure to dredge rivers, the Environment Agency, dithering politicians.  And of course, all those responsible for climate change. 

While some of these ‘villains’ were making excuses, plenty of ordinary heroes got to work: neighbours and volunteers keeping watch on water levels, helping people evacuate, distributing sandbags, providing shelter and emergency supplies.  Some have travelled across the country to where help was needed most.

When a crisis overwhelms the normal structures and procedures for dealing with adverse conditions, it somehow gives ‘permission’ to people to volunteer their time and resources – often tirelessly and sacrificially – on a scale not seen under normal conditions. 

How might such a generous community spirit be unlocked more easily?  Does take a crisis to bring it out?  It seems it’s a function of social capital: the stronger the relationships are in a community, the more aware people are of others’ needs, and more willing to help each other out. 

So in response to these storms, we need to spend more on more flood protection, yes, but we would also do well to build stronger community relationships.  It gives people more excuses for kindness.   

Read on

A recent article in Nature discusses how social contracts involving the state, civil society and individual actors need to evolve to cope with the likely increase in extreme weather events.  Read the paper comparing flooding in Ireland and England here.

Walk the talk

If you live in Britain, why not sign up on http://floodvolunteers.co.uk/ to offer some time or practical assistance to a flooded community near you? 

The last word

From the Bible, Acts chapter 20, verse 35: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”