This is a talking point published in the Hereford Times on November 14.

Ellie Chowns, MP for north Herefordshire

THIS week, I’m speaking in Parliament about flood resilience and nature-friendly farming.

After the recent floods in Herefordshire, I called on the government to allocate time for a debate on flood resilience, and I’ve been supporting local residents with flooding casework.

Sadly, we know that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

And we have all seen the terrible images of what’s happened in Valencia recently; my heart goes out to people there.

There are three key things the UK government must do ASAP: invest in keeping the drains clear (this is basic); ensure that all new housing and infrastructure is flood-resilient; and invest in natural flood management.

There are so many opportunities for government to use its powers for good, to incentivise ways of managing land for multiple positive outcomes.

Nature-friendly farming can help us increase food production, provide good jobs, protect wildlife, manage flood risk and tackle climate change, all at once. What’s not to like?!

That’s why I’m disappointed that the budget didn’t do more to support nature-friendly farming.

The government has a great opportunity here to show that they understand and value rural areas and the huge potential that places like Herefordshire have. I’ll be advocating for this whenever I can!

Flood resilience and nature friendly farming are also highly relevant to the big international event this week: COP29, the climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The science is clear: 2024 is set to be the hottest year on record, and it’s human behaviour that is responsible. We desperately need our leaders to show leadership.

ALSO READ:

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

But I worry. I worry that our own government is still not putting its money where its mouth is on climate action.

I am shocked that Azerbaijan has been using the conference as a fig leaf to strike more oil and gas deals.

And I am deeply concerned at the prospect of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States.

But worry won’t get us anywhere. That’s why I take hope and inspiration from the multitude of local people who are sowing the seeds of a renewed, cleaner, greener and fairer economy – from the new Low Carbon Technology Training Centre in Holme Lacy to the Colwall Greener Eco Festival. As the saying goes: "Don’t agonise, organise!"