What Happened to the Green, Green Grass of Home?

The National Drought Group have placed 8 of England's 14 areas into an official 'Drought' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/12/drought-declared-england-hosepipe-ban-water-restrictions). These 8 English areas are mainly in the South and the East. Yorkshire and the West Midlands are, however, expected to follow shortly. Attaining drought status was inevitable. In July, South-East England received less than 10% of its average rainfall. That same area has had no rain, thus far, in August. The drought status requires water companies to enact their plans to deal with the situation. Temporary bans on using hosepipes to water gardens, clean cars or fill paddling pools, are expected. These private companies can also apply for permits to extract more water from rivers, reservoirs and aquifers. This might be effectively giving them a licence to damage yet more of our shrinking environment. Water Companies have not proved to be good custodians. Rivers (and their contained wildlife) are already under considerable pressures. If the drought intensifies and/or goes on for an extended period, other bans (e.g. on cleaning properties and windows) could come in. The drought also means great difficulties for agriculture. For example, it's likely that 50% of the UK's potato crop will be lost. Scotland and Wales have their own bodies to regulate responses to water shortages but they are expected to follow suit. It's worth, however, reminding ourselves that things are currently much worse in other parts of Europe. There are raging wildfires in SW France (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/12/eu-countries-rush-to-help-france-tackle-monstrous-wildfires). In Germany, the mighty Rhine has shrunk in places, to an almost unnavigable trickle (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62519683). We can't, however, claim that we were not warned, well in advance, by the climate scientists. Just don't expect any apologies from the batallions of well-paid climate change deniers. Droughts, storms and floods are the shape of things to come.