Heat vulnerable neighbourhoods

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A lead story in The Guardian recently explored the six million people in the UK who are at particular risk of heat stress.


The research was published by Friends of the Earth.

These people live in heat vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods are defined as those exposed to prolonged periods of very hot weather, with an average of 27.5C (81.5F) or higher for five days or more, conditions which are becoming more common amid climate breakdown.

As one might imagine,  these are influenced by wealth and show a pattern which is unequal in nature.

Mike Childs, the head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said these plans “must include rolling out insulation programmes to keep our homes, care homes, schools and nurseries cool in summer, as well as warm in winter, planting street trees to help cool neighbourhoods during hot spells, and equipping community spaces such as libraries with air conditioning so people can shelter during heatwaves.

“Global temperature records are being broken year on year, but the UK’s plans to adapt to the climate crisis are falling far short of what’s needed to protect frontline communities. This failure is putting the lives and health of millions of people at risk.”

Older people are also at risk from heat.

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