Climate Scientists Call For Heat Risk Strategy As UK No Longer A ‘Cold Country'

The UK is no longer a cold country , scientists have said, as climate breakdown means “previously impossible heatwaves are killing people”.

- Helena Horton

This week temperatures of 40C (104F) have been predicted for the first time by the Met Office, but climate models show these weather events are expected to become more common.

Climate scientists have called for the UK to quickly adapt to extreme heat or risk thousands of deaths.

This includes having a specific heat risk strategy drawn up by the government, updating housing stock and ensuring newbuilds can cool down in hot weather. Bob Ward, the policy and communications director at the London School of Economics’ Grantham Research Institute , said: “The current prime minister has ignored repeated calls to create a national heat risk strategy that would engage all relevant government departments in tackling the growing threat from heatwaves.”

He hit out at commentators and MPs who have said those who fear heatwaves are “snowflakes”. Sir John Hayes, the chair of the Common Sense Group of Conservative MPs , said at the weekend that heat warnings were evidence of a “cowardly new world”, adding: “It is not surprising that in snowflake Britain the snowflakes are melting. Thankfully most of us are not snowflakes.”