London’s risk from rising temperatures

So, in a survey about extreme heat, there’s nothing about… you know… actually cooling things down. Air conditioning? Nope. Especially in buses, where spending an hour feels like being slow-cooked. I’m sure museums and libraries wouldn’t mind a little cooling either.

And of course, public transport reliability - our favourite British weather bingo. Heatwave? Everything grinds to a halt. Cold snap? Same story. Heavy rain? You guessed it. Snow? Absolute Armageddon.

And then there’s SUDS -  genuinely a great idea, worth implementing, even if it takes decades. But in the survey it’s presented as if it’s on the same level of urgency as… installing curtains, with absolutely zero explanation of what it is.

 Thinking back to the heatwave of 2022: 

I have a 5yo child, so my actions during the heatwaves have been to protect him. We live in a flat and have no garden.

Answers below.

• How did you cope with the heat in London?

  Before my child was at school, we changed our routine to fit around the heat. I would take my child out in the morning, sometimes we would have breakfast outside in the park and be home by 11am. We would then play at home from 11-5pm and go out again after dinner. On the hottest days we would play water games in the bath throughout the day. I also keep curtains closed in sunny rooms until the sun has passed by.

  Now my child is at school, I pay for them to attend After School Club until 5pm, so that we don’t have to travel home in the heat.

  I also did not send my child to school on Sports Day, as it was 34’c and took place outside. I told the school my reasons honestly and they accepted that.

  -

  Our days out during hot weather have changed too - and when we go into London I choose places that are either indoors (museums, soft play etc), or places that have water play (science museum, v&a, King’s Cross, south bank, etc), or natural areas like woodlands. We always carry water, sun screen, hats and glasses etc. I also carry an umbrella for extra shade too.
   

• What helped you stay cool at home or while you were out and about? 
  Answered above.
   

• What made it better, and what made it worse?

  Better: Access to water and shade when outside.

  Worse: Children’s playgrounds generally have no shade. It makes playing there out of the question.

Thinking of this summer:  

• What, if anything, are you doing differently to cope with the heat in London?

  Answered previously.

• What, if anything, does London need to help you cope with the heat?

  Water refill stations must be maintained and clearly signposted.

  More shaded areas to rest in large open spaces, and more shade in children play areas.

  
  End.

The underground is very intolerably hot, especially the Victoria line.  I am trying to avoid using it on hot days which is not great.  What could be done about this?  I don't know, I am not an engineer.

Talk London surveys have a regrettable tendency to focus on the individual with limited options. Heat issues are systemic more than individual, to do with urban architecture and design - and inequality. For instance the lack of green spaces in many  areas of poverty and deprivation. And the problems posed by Victorian and Edwardian housing and planning restrictions on appearance regarding external modifications . But most particularly the disaster of modern apartment block architecture and planning in which it is impossible to keep apartments cool as they are built on the ‘hotel corridor’ model and only face one direction with no opportunity for through draughts to ventilate and cool. See current campaigns around apartments that are almost impossible to live in due to heat. This has been known to be a problem for a very long time. There absolutely have to be new planning requirements and regulations  about design and materials regarding over-heating and the GLA could take the lead on this. 

When I know it’s going to be very hot I close my windows and curtains in the south facing kitchen/ sitting room.

I live in a small block of flats and we have trees in the front garden to help increase shade.

We could encourage people to stop running vehicle engines when stationary to reduce emissions.

Effective air conditioning on the Victoria Line which is very hot in the summer 

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.