As temperatures soar across the UK, heatwaves are no longer being seen as rare weather events but as an increasingly regular feature of British summers. In fact most researchers are saying that UK is warming faster than any other. In an interview with Times Now Digital, Professor Tim Taylor, Director of the Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions at the University of Exeter, explains why the UK must adapt quickly, what everyday life could look like in a hotter Britain and why countries such as India may offer valuable lessons in living with extreme heat.
Professor Tim Taylor: Heatwaves in the UK are becoming more frequent, and we are also experiencing more intense heat. Climate models suggest these heat events will become even more frequent and more extreme in the future.
Professor Tim Taylor:Some adaptations will involve changes to our daily routines. For example, people may need to exercise during the cooler parts of the day rather than in the afternoon when temperatures peak. We also need to explore ways to make our homes better protected from heat. This could include using lighter-coloured roofing materials, often referred to as 'cool roofs', or installing photovoltaic solar panels, which can also help reduce heat gain.
A police officer givers water to a British soldier wearing a traditional bearskin hat, on guard duty outside Buckingham Palace, during hot weather in London.
Professor Tim Taylor:We have challenges with certain buildings that were never designed to cope with high temperatures, including some care homes and public buildings such as schools and hospitals. These should be prioritised for improvements because the young, the elderly and those with existing illnesses are among the most vulnerable during extreme heat. We also need to improve shading across urban areas.
Beyond that, we have to learn how to keep our existing homes cooler. Simple measures such as closing curtains during the hottest parts of the day, installing external shutters, and ensuring gardens are not completely paved over can all make a difference.
Professor Tim Taylor:Regardless of emissions trajectories from this point onward, we are likely to experience more extreme heat events in the UK during the 2030s. Globally, we must continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent conditions from becoming even worse. At the same time, we should learn from countries that have longer experience dealing with extreme heat, includingIndia, to better understand how to respond to growing heat-related risks.
Kalpana Sharma is currently the Lifestyle and Education Editor at Times Now and Editor of Health and Me (Times Networks' health website). With a stron...View More
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