{"id":865540,"date":"2025-08-15T21:18:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T02:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/to-help-people-prepare-for-extreme-heat-we-must-communicate-better\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T21:18:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T02:18:26","slug":"to-help-people-prepare-for-extreme-heat-we-must-communicate-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/15\/to-help-people-prepare-for-extreme-heat-we-must-communicate-better\/","title":{"rendered":"To help people prepare for extreme heat, we must communicate better"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dr. Niall McLoughlin is co-director at Climate Barometer.<\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout recent weeks, Europe has yet again experienced the deadly effects of record-breaking extreme heat<\/a>. Hundreds of heat alerts were put in place across the continent, as temperatures soared to 46C in some regions \u2013 with school closures and outdoor working bans in some nations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here in the UK, England may have just experienced its hottest June on record<\/a>, with close to 600 people estimated to have died<\/a> during the hottest period. Droughts have been declared<\/a> in the North West of England and Yorkshire following the driest spring<\/a> in 132 years; and wildfires recently scorched the earth across Scotland<\/a>, Dartmoor<\/a> and the Peak District<\/a>. The land area burnt so far this year is already<\/a> the highest in over a decade.<\/p>\n

On Monday, the latest State of the UK Climate report<\/a> showed that the number of days with temperatures 5C above the 1961-1990 average has doubled since that period for the most recent decade from 2015-2024. According to the Met Office, the hottest days experienced in the UK have dramatically increased in frequency in just a few decades, while the last three years have been in the country\u2019s top five warmest on record.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Not prepared for extreme weather<\/h2>\n

Government statistics show there were more than 10,000 heat-related deaths<\/a> in the UK alone between 2020 and 2024. Close to 3,000 people died amidst the record-breaking 2022 heatwaves, when UK temperatures exceeded 40C for the first time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite this, the UK remains unprepared for extreme heat. In April this year, stark warnings were issued<\/a> by the national government\u2019s official climate adviser, the Climate Change Committee (CCC): The country is \u201cnot prepared\u201d for climate impacts, progress has been \u201cinadequate\u201d, \u201ctoo slow\u201d, or has \u201cstalled\u201d. Encompassing heat risks, the CCC reported that not a single outcome of UK climate adaptation shows signs of \u2018good\u2019 delivery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Scientists hail rapid estimate of climate change\u2019s role in heat deaths as a first<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The British public agrees the nation isn\u2019t ready. Climate Barometer polling<\/a> finds that more than three quarters (78%) believe the UK is \u2018not prepared\u2019 to deal with climate impacts, including extreme weather. Just 16% say there has been \u2018good progress\u2019 when it comes to climate adaptation.<\/p>\n

In 2023, over two-thirds<\/a> of the public said both national and local governments in the UK are not prepared for extreme heat events. Alarmingly, this sentiment is shared<\/a> by paramedics, fire fighters, decision makers and community leaders who worked on the frontline of the 2022 heatwave response.<\/p>\n