London’s risk from rising temperatures

I find it crazy that the responsibility of managing a heatwave is left to the individual whilst the government continuously ignores climate change causing the extreme temperatures. I remember, as a child, that summers being 17° were considered a warm sunny day. How did 30°+ heat become so normalised? So many businesses and companies destroying the planet, but we as individuals have to consider how to change our homes to adapt? It feels reminiscent of recycling being treated as everyone's individual responsibility (I'm not saying don't recycle - please recycle!!) whilst companies like Shell spill tonnes of toxic waist into our oceans, and companies like Shein create tonnes of fabric waste and water waste. The onus of climate change is on our governments to provide stricter legislation - if not, there needs to be an entire rewrite. Viva la revolution!

Free water fountains (to use with refillable bottles) would help. And more public toilets. Also misting stations,  particularly during rush hour. 

Two words: global warming.

The planet is getting hotter every year and we're going to have to adapt.

We can do things to reach Net Zero but are businesses on board with this goal, or is it all talk?

The time for action is NOW!

Discourage public BBQ’s and activities that can lead to fire. Involve the Fire Brigade in campaigns during hot weather. 

Encourage behavioural change as opposed to air conditioning which is only accessible to few. More tree planting and creation of shaded spaces. Discourage use of tubes on excessively hot days-WFH. Think of wildlife and create access to water sources. More water fountains in public spaces and access to toilets. Campaign to check in the elderly and vulnerable - to encourage good citizenship and neighbourliness. Campaign for animals especially dogs being walked and left in cars. Discourage alcohol consumption during heatwave. Reduce awful high rise building developments by Barrett that are going up all over London-terrible for communities and families.  Heat up-Slow down! Let’s follow the lead of hot countries. Reconsider when children take exams at school-too hot and uncomfortable a lot of the time. 

Dear Londoner you carry cold water stay in side shadows drink water should planting trees 

We discuss among the family members and consider the heatwaves as hazards. They we consider a set of actions to reduce the impact of the heat in London.

I am also considering to train businesses in London on climate chane, how to reduce carbon emissions and address heat waves/

There is not enough shade. I see vast tracts of paving, dark black, that could have simple canopies overhead with solar panels installed to collect energy at the same time as providing shade. 

The 4th floor flat was unbearable in the heat. In 2022 the walls in my flat were warm to the touch. There was no air. It was over 40 degrees in my home. We had to keep having multiple cold showers per day. 

We need more TREES. I try to go to areas that have more shade, the air feels fresher and keeps the area as a whole a lot cooler. I’m lucky that the area that I live in has lots of treess planted but if I walk 20 minutes down, there are no trees and it is much hotter and unbearable to deal with.

I think water, shade and green space needs to continue becoming more important. The lidos and ponds are always fully booked when it gets warmer, anyone even in a park is looking for shade and being able to drink water frequently is so important (and fountains can reduce plastic waste).

I would love to see our energy mix becoming more sustainable as well…

The questions on the survey were a bit confusing to me, I’m not sure how my neighbors pets will fare during the next heatwave.

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.