London’s risk from rising temperatures

The 40 degree heatwave was horrible. Travelling to and from work was the worst part, either a choice of walking 50 minutes in extremely high temperatures, or a quicker 10 minute bus journey with a 15 minute walk but the bus was awful. Whatever air conditioning there was didn't work, windows all open and the bus driver stopped at every stop to open the doors to try and get air in. Even in non extreme heat buses are not great, they get so hot, with no air and air conditioning doesn't really seem to work. I think this is an important thing to look into as so many people travel by bus. 

Having available drinking water is really important. Lots of shade is important, whether it's from umbrellas, covers, etc or from trees. There should definitely be more green spaces and trees, especially in areas which are quite concrete. 

A lot more free water fountains are needed around the city, especially in parks and along the Thames path where people are more likely to be exercising and needing water. It’s also a great way to encourage Londoners and those visiting to be more sustainable and avoid purchasing disposable plastic bottles so frequently. More free public loos are also needed as people hydrate more in the heat, they will also need to go to the bathroom more frequently. 
Air conditioning on public transport would be one of the best ways to help Londoners avoid overheating but obviously it’s an expensive and slow fix. 

Housing Associations need to be forced to listen to residents. This whole block was fully refurbished just 4/5 years ago but no consideration at all to keeping cool. The (new) windows in each flat are only on 1 side so there is no through draught at all. Many residents put foil etc up at the windows, It's Sheltered Housing and many are housebound. They're spending a fortune on repainting which doesn't really need doing but say theres no money to deal with excess heat. 28.5 degrees inside today with blinds / curtains shut. Service charges are up 40% this year and we've got 1/4 support staff.  People will literally start dying soon. 

PLANT MORE TREES and stop allowing developers to build on green space. 

For people with health conditions, the heat can make us unwell and distressed. 

I have been seeking out municipal spaces for the last couple of summers and there are surprisingly limited suitable options. 

Going forward it MUST be addressed. The needs of citizens who don't benefit from corporate cooling ( at work for example) must be death with adequately. Some may not be able to leave their home but others like me need a space to sit and cool down and feel ok. 

Libraries are on the whole underfunded and it shows in their lack of ventilation or non existent AC. 

I did find ONE library with AC but it's in Chelsea and 1 hour journey from my home.

Somewhere to sit and read or do laptop things would be good everywhere. 

Coffee shops are usually well cooled but you have to spend money to be there !!! 

The heatwave in 2022 was frightening. I had never experienced 40 degrees before and never want to again. My flat is south facing and severely overheats in the summer anyway and I did not know what to do. I papered over my windows as best I could to try to keep the sun from from my windows.

This summer I am struggling with the heat in my flat. I cannot get it below 28 degrees at night on hot days.

The block I live in has combustible cladding and must be remediated. I suggested that brise soleils were incorporated into the remediation design but the housing association said no. They have ‘consulted’ us about cladding materials but will not answer questions about which materials will best stop solar heat gain. Guinness housing association will not help with making my flat suitable for hot summers.

It would help if the Mayor of London would mandate housing associations to remediate their blocks to better cope with climate change and fund them to do so.

I am a shared ownership resident and live in a block, so there is nothing I can personally do to improve my flat to cope with climate change 

Sudden temperature changes also have a big impact on health. The few public transport modes that have air-conditioning (Elizabeth line, Circle and District, Overground) are set to unreasonably low temperatures in summer. So you walk outside where there could be 30-35C and then you suddenly get into a train with 18C. That's absurd! Not only it poses a health risk but it also means electricity waste and more heat transfered into the stations or in the city. Please set aircon in public transport to a reasonable temperature such as 23C.

It is important to learn from other cities abroad and see how they cope with the extreme heatwaves. But one of the first things to be done would be to try and mitigate the concrete island effect and for the buidlings to be able to cool down in  the evenings, during a heatwave. It is also important to find ways to keep the green spaces green as it will help with the cooling down. shaded areas are also important along with the good airflow.

I have lived in continental Europe for years where heatwaves are very common for the last decade or so. Closing the windows in the morning after leaving them opened all night and pull the blinds off are a good solution to keep the cool air inside. However, what really help reduce the indoor building temperature is proper building insulation and external blind instead of interior blinds/curtain. Old flats can tend to trap the heat in their walls which can quickly become a vboiling room. Stricter regulation on building requirement (old and new) and government support/subventions to encourage landlords to renovate their properties can be good solutions to help renters to live in cooler flats during heatwaves. 

I own my home but its a block so I can't do anything to the outside or roof or install heat pumps. Freeholders need to be incentivised. There's so much roof here for solar panels 

I opened windows first thing and then closed all windows and curtains about 9am.  I was anxious and it worried me when I could smell smoke.  I listened to the radio to keep myself updated about the situation in this area.  

Similar to above except I now have a better fan to keep air moving.

Huge number of badly designed flats being put up which in themselves create heat problems (absorbing heat during day), no shutters or awnings (possibly not allowed) and lack of green space around flats to absorb heat. So temperatures are going up and the tower blocks are glass hot boxes, heating up all day. We have to use blackout blinds but the heat is terrible, causing misery and affecting the vulnerable - many of whom grew up in a much cooler London.

Building regs need strengthening, orientation of new builds should avoid direct sunlight, reflective surfaces can help avoid heat storage. Need concerted effort to plant and manage more shade trees. Need shaded bus shelters, better ventilation or cooling on buses and tubes and trains. Misting stations could help in central London.

Living with heat in London is difficult at the best of times but post partum with a small baby having to get buses to baby appointments which take multiple buses and having to stand with the buggy when you feel extra dehydrated from breastfeeding because there is nowhere to sit on some buses with the buggy. I've felt sick, dizzy and worried for mine and my babies safety. 

Some buses have air con but everyone opens the windows so all the cold air leaves the bus anyway. On these hot days regulating the service and leaving us all dripping in sweat isn't acceptable. Shade at bus stops needs to be an essential. 

There are many vulnerable people in society, I felt extra vulnerable for a period when pregnant and having had my baby but some people that is every summer, every year. 

I think some sort of air conditioning n buses/public transport is crucial as the extreme heat inside a bus us dangerous to all, including driver. Our buses are not equipped for the heat and they MUST be updated to cope. Global warming will  make summers hotter.  

More free water points. Air con on all trains/buses and tubes. Designated cool areas for those who are homeless etc. more green spaces with shade. Subsidised sun cream for young and vulnerable. 

Very little that had been positive. Perhaps keeping blinds closed during the day helps, especially if out and about. 
Perhaps more homes should have shutters and keep outof the midday sun, if possible. Climate change will mean we have to adopt almost Mediterranean lifestyles.