The UK is not prepared for heat

The UK just isn't prepared for heat, is it? We just had our first heat wave of the year, and it came early. In fact, there's only been a few times in history where we've breached 30° C in May. And this time, we broke new records, including here in my studio. So hot. Hang on. Let me just spritz myself. Why is that so warm? — Jesus Christ. And actually, since I recorded that, the temperature increased again. Yesterday, it peaked at 41. 8°. Heat waves in the UK are getting more frequent and more intense, and that is dangerous. The UK's climate change committee just happened to have released this new report on a welladapted UK, which currently we are not. They spell out how increasingly extreme and frequent heat waves are the greatest risk to health in the UK from climate change. Right now, we're suffering between 1,400 and 3,000 excess deaths every year from climate change. But as temperatures continue to rise, by 2050, that could be more like 3,000 to 10,000 excess deaths every year from heat if we don't adapt. And temperatures are rising. There's no question of that. The problem is when temperatures also rise in our studios and in our homes. It's estimated that future heat waves could see 92% of UK homes overheat because they were designed for a cooler climate that no longer exists. So, how do we keep ourselves cool? Well, we can learn from other countries. For example, last winter, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced they would create a national network of climate shelters in public buildings. These were cool airond conditioned spaces with seating and free water for people to take refuge in. Now, according to the climate change committee, we should be considering doing something similar, but prioritizing cooling services such as schools, hospitals, and care homes. They also recommended that the government set maximum working temperature regulations for different industries such that no worker is risking their safety in the heat. And they said we need to accelerate our uptake of cooling solutions particularly among the most vulnerable and as part of that support those least able to afford the upgrade. Ultimately, we're becoming a hot country, and it's high time that we start thinking of ourselves as one and adapt or feel the consequences.