London’s risk from rising temperatures

We are trying to take exercise or do heavy work, e g gardening, early mornings when it is cooler; we spend the hotter parts of the day in our coolest space, sometimes with curtains drawn.

Have all the buses whether small or double deckers air condition fitted and also in the winter have heating in those buses, and make all the buses complaints section visible for the public because most of my local buses have cold air coming out in the winter and when asked the drivers say the drivers reply that they can’t switch the cold air off which makes passengers even more cold in the bus.

In Seoul, South Korea they have huge green parasols hanging above pavements near pedestrian crossings (in spots where people wait for the green signal to cross the road). The parasols are extremely helpful to provide shading during hot, sunny weather and also to provide cover during the rain, and encourage people to wait until the green pedestrian signal rather than running to cross the road when it is rainy, therefore improving road safety too.

Seoul also has water misting arches in various locations, and the cool mist is making the hot weather more bearable.

And Seoul also has air-conditioned bus shelters near some bus stops (it is a completely enclosed bus shelter with a television screen, Wi-Fi signal and an enclosed air conditioned booth with capacity for several people. This might be an overkill for London since the temperatures are not as high yet, but in hot cities this encourages people to use the buses even in hot weather, instead of relying on air-conditioned cars

and, please, remove moquette from public transport. I understand it's a design icon but it isn't hygenic and it makes it all the more unbearable during summer. 

It should be a legal requirement that anyone owning outside space must maintain it as or convert it back to uncovered/unpaved land allowing precipitation into the soil thus refilling the water table and avoiding run-off.  Everyone should collect roof run-off in water butts and such water used to flush toilets and water gardens.  All public space should be paved with a material that allowed infiltration, or dug up and planted.  All ugly buildings at least should be covered in vertical gardens.  All land owners should be required to place potted plants wherever there is space not required for other uses such as emergency exits.  Unused paved/tarmac'd/concreted land should be dug up and returned to nature.

No mention of access to green spaces, subsidies to solar panels that can help reduce overall emissions and help with the city’s temperature. Paris has demonstrated that large cities can restrict vehicle traffic, improving the quality of the air, encouraging cycling and walking (i.e. exercise), and any additional heat that could be linked to vehicle traffic. 

I feel strongly that legislation is needed for outside workers in extreme heat. A family member works outside and so I know from his experience the toll this can take on mental and physical health. It seems outrageous that Climate Change is not a top priority. We are all experiencing the reality of these changes and I would like to see quicker action to remedy what we can. Green walls are one thing that wasn’t mentioned in the survey. My lounge today is 24.7 c with blinds drawn and a fan on. In some places ( such as South Korea) covered rivers have been revealed and I don’t know if this would be possible in London as a remedy. 
Bus ventilation is desperately needed. Sitting on the route I use the most is almost unbearable on hot days. Also better communication with the public is needed when roadworks etc disrupt traffic. Local experience of this was gridlock situation in my local town and hardly any buses could get through. A journey which should have taken 45mins at the most took 2hours with buses being terminated before the end journey and very long wait s for replacement buses. I have arthritis and waiting in the heat along with people who had finished work made me realise how many people are disrupted by the heat and unreliable transport especially those with disabilities and wheelchair users. So in conclusion I think finding reasonable ways to cope and support people to cope with the challenges is of top priority.

 I see that J D Vance is seeking to sanction all countries that support zero emissions! What a nightmare. 
I am retired but try to exercise each day outside, to remain mobile, for the past 2 days the heat has kept me inside. I pity those who don’t have that option. 
 

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.