THE horrendous weather conditions of the last few days point to a dramatic change in climate.

Scientists have been warning us of the dangers of global warming for many years, although opinion is divided as to whether the hole in the ozone is responsible for the savage storms that lashed the South and the torrential rain and snow that fell on the North.

However, Marilyn McKenzie Hedger, head of the UK Climate Impacts Programme, is in no doubt. She says the events of the last few days should be a wake-up call to everyone to discover how we are going to cope with climate change. The emergency services have responded well in this part of the world.

But scenes from the South, where people have been trapped in upstairs rooms and inshore lifeboats have been called to help with rescues in town and village streets, make us wonder whether the country as a whole is geared up to cope with such freak conditions.

Perhaps it is time for the Government to think again in terms of how it responds to extreme weather conditions. It needs to set up a national strategy for dealing with such situations. Certainly it must study the response to the emergency and take on board the lessons.

One of the theories being advanced for an increase in flooding is the amount of housing development in areas which for centuries have served as flood plains. The Government is expected to issue an order before Christmas banning new building on flood plains.

For many, that is a case of closing the stable door, but it is a measure which may well protect others.

Our climate does appear to be changing and, whatever the reasons -- whether it be an increase in the release of greenhouse gases or down to forces we do not understand -- the Government must set up a strategy to deal with the effects.