Was the flooding of the AFC Wimbledon foreshadowing climate change?

On the 22nd of September, Wimbledon experienced rainfall almost three times the average for that time of, year causing AFC Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium. 

 Over 100,00 litres of floodwater had to be pumped out of the stadium after drains backed up overnight.

This caused significant damage to the pitch and cause multiple games to be postponed until the playing grounds could be repaired, and the Carabao Cup third-round match had to be moved to St James' Park.

There was huge financial damage to the stadium, but with temperatures rising, and extreme weather becoming much more common, could this just be the beginning of a much bigger problem? 

Recently extreme weather events have been alarmingly abundant, with Florida facing hurricane Milton, Hurricane  Helene recently having hit the south-eastern end of the USA and London experiencing out of the ordinary patterns itself. 

Because of our changing climate and global warming damaging weather events are becoming much more common, and the impacts a lot more direct.

This shows that the flooding of the Cherry Red Records Stadium and the heavy rain that caused it are most likely not going to be the only consequence of a warming climate, but more probably just the beginning of it.  

It is important however not to feel hopeless about the current climate situation; even small changes in daily life can help adapt to the impacts of climate change and move our society to a greener, more sustainable future.

Claire Coustar, a resident of Wimbledon working in environmental sustainability and finance stated: 

"It is important for us to think about ways to be more resilient to severe climate events.

Things like widening drainages and sewage pipes and adding water absorbing vegetation to our buildings can help relieve the worst effects of flooding."  

After the flooding of the AFC Wimbledon stadium, however, fans have all come together to donate to a just giving page set up by an avid supporter of the club, which managed to raise the target fund from £10,000 to £150,000 as donations soared.

This just goes to show that no matter the challenge if everyone pitches in a little it can go a long way, and this is just the same for climate change.

Every little helps no matter how big or small.  

So, in conclusion, no matter how big or small the action we can all make a difference, whether that’s helping out our local football team or progressing towards a greener planet.