Hundreds of excess deaths are expected in Britain, while major cities in Italy take unprecedented steps to protect the elderly and infirm.
According to new polling by Centre for London, almost half of people living in the UK capital believe they are now personally effected by climate change. One-in-three have specific concerns about polluted water, extreme wind and heat, with many also adding air pollution to the list.
The results have been published shortly after the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London released modelling which suggested up to 600 premature deaths could occur as a result of recent heatwaves across Britain.
This week, thermometers have already hit 33C in some areas, and are expected to continue climbing in many regions, with potential highs of 36C. Research has previously highlighted a lack of preparedness for such extremes, with poor quality building stock – much without adequate insulation and climate control – causing increasing issues.
“Extreme heat is a growing killer, already claiming thousands of lives each year, with older people, disabled people, and those with health conditions particularly at risk.
‘As the climate crisis accelerates, deadly heatwaves are hitting harder and more often – but the UK is nowhere near ready. Even the government’s own advisers warn that the current climate adaptation plan falls dangerously short,’ said Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Policy.
‘Ministers must stop dithering and urgently strengthen the national adaptation programme to protect lives, homes, and nature – as well as cutting emissions faster to help tackle the crisis at its source,’ he continued.
Last month, meteorological experts warned the UK could be facing a plume summer, in which successive heatwaves with little reprise contribute to extended periods of high temperature. Experts have also suggested there is a 50:50 chance of the country facing temperatures of 40C or over within the next 12 years. The first time this happened was the summer of 2022.
‘As over 80% of people in this country live in urban areas, it is vital that we introduce measures to tackle higher temperatures over the coming decades,’ said Richard Broadbent, Environmental Lawyer at leading law firm Freeths.
‘This includes ensuring that existing housing stock, and especially all new housing, benefits from greening measures such as on-site biodiversity net gain,’ he added. ‘The shading caused by trees and other vegetation has proven benefits in terms of reducing the Urban Heat Island effect. This includes the natural evapotranspiration of plants, which cools the air.’
Continental Europe has also been suffering from searing heat. On the Greek mainland, authorities have been struggling to cope with wildfires, with blazes also causing major issues in countries such as Turkey and France. On Tuesday, Paris announced the Eiffel Tower would close alongside a nearby nuclear power station and more than 1,000 schools across the city region amid predictions of 39C.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere issued a red public health warming for ‘persistently extremely high maximum temperature values and healthcare professionals in the capital, Lisbon, have urged people not to go outside in the hottest hours of the day.
Several regions of Italy – including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria – have announced plans to ban some outdoor work activities, with trade unionists urging Rome to extent this nationally. 21 of 27 monitored cities across the country were under the highest level of heat alert on Sunday, with seven ‘climate shelters’ opened in Bologna offering air conditioning and free drinking water.
Primarily aimed at helping the elderly, patients with cancer and other chronic and long term health conditions, and the homeless are also considered to be high risk. In Venice, free guided tours of climate controlled museums and galleries are being offered for people over 75, dehumidifiers are being given out for free in Ancona and Rome has announced free access to all swimming pools for anyone aged 70 and above.
Image: Arthur Yeti / Unsplash
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