Drought risk in the Anthropocene: from the jaws of death to the waters of life

Abstract

In this closing article, Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, sets the scene on the Anthropocene: what this new epoch means for humans and nature, how we got here, and where we need to go next. This article sets out the alarming impact that the epoch's most distinctive feature, climate change caused by human activity, is having on drought risk and extreme weather. In response to these challenges, Sir James will review the progress made by world leaders at COP26, and set out what needs to happen next to mitigate the worst impacts of runaway climate change and to adapt to impacts that are irrevocable. In particular, he will examine what needs to be done to escape what in 2019 he called the ‘jaws of death’, the point on water companies' planning charts some 20 years from now where if we don't intervene water demand will outstrip supply. Sir James will set out what the Environment Agency is doing alongside business, government, civil society and what the Royal Society can do to help. Finally this article argues why we should be optimistic we can turn the climate crisis into an opportunity to create a better world. This article is part of the Royal Society Science+ meeting issue ‘Drought risk in the Anthropocene’.