Malcolm Dowden, an environmental law specialist, points out another problem: government-sponsored flood defences in one area may shift floods downstream to other areas.

ECONOMIST: The political and economic geography of inundation

Many commentators are arguing that what is needed to tackle the problem are not simply measures such as those outlined above, but rather a quantum-shift in the technology of air travel, with a radical re-think not only in how planes are designed, but also what they are actually made of.

CNN: Green wing:?can technology make flying more environmentally friendly?