The UK will be at “severe risk” of surging river levels if global temperatures rise by 5C in the next century, as predicted.
The trend could also lead to food shortages, heat-related deaths and epidemics of diseases such as malaria and cholera.
Researchers claim the harmful effects of climate change have already been “locked in” by selfish human behaviour.
More than 5,000 homes were devast- ated by floods last winter after months of relentless downpours.
And this number is set to treble, according to a study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
The United Nations’ panel of experts believe the planet is getting warmer as a result of burning fossil fuels.
This could melt ice-caps and raise sea levels in a matter of decades. More extreme weather is also expected.
Prof Sam Fankauser, from the London School of Economics, said: “In the UK and the rest of northern Europe, we will need to cope with increasing risks from flooding, heatwaves and droughts.”
But there was relief in the waterlogged Somerset Levels yesterday as the Environment Agency started to dredge the rivers Parrett and Tone.
Locals blamed the lack of dredging for the recent floods, which killed livestock and drove hundreds from their homes.
