London’s risk from rising temperatures

We’ve had four official heatwaves so far this year in London. The mercies are that none were prolonged, and there was no ‘extreme’ (over 35C) heat. 
I was disciplined keeping curtains and windows closed on every hot day during most daylight hours. The downside of less light is more than offset by the lower temperature. 
There is only so much we can do in buildings designed to keep heat in. I recommend moving more slowly and even talking less. It’s hard for us to learn what residents of hotter countries know already, especially if, like me, childhood memories involve a lot of cold and shivering. 
Public buildings and public transport need air conditioning. Arguing against that costs lives. 
I have a portable aircon unit in case of extreme heat. I would have used it on hot days this summer if electricity were cheaper. People on low incomes can’t afford aircon or even electricity for fans on all day. The high price of energy, also for warmth in winter, is a public health issue. The government seems utterly indifferent to the cost of living crisis, which kills. It is a political choice to not strain every sinew to lower energy prices. 
Showers and baths several times a day on hot days help. Water and energy prices make that impossible for millions in Britain. 
Trees are important, and many are being planted, more please!
We need more outdoor swimming places. There used to be many lidos. They need to return..

As long as the political choice is made to protect the wealthy, and to allow everyone else to get worse off, none of these issues will be solved. Housing costs, energy prices and food prices all need attention. We have government of the rich, for the rich, by the rich. If that ever changed, we would all benefit. 

There should be provisions for if it reaches past a certain temperature like in Germany. Once over a certain heat, schools and places of work are closed. This also might give big corporations the kick they need to take more action against the climate crisis 

I have two main concerns. One this survey seems to focus not on resolving the core issues of heatwaves in London but my just making life 5% more bareable during one. Surely the focus should be on reducing the temperature?
Secondly, heatwaves are generally followed by heavy rains causing flash flooding, which London has seen plenty of recently. The annual summer letter for basement flats that I receive to prepare for flooding is useless. A heatwave plan needs to acknowledge the secondary impacts such as scorched earth causing excess run off and flooding, and provide actual assistance to homes at risk. It is honestly my biggest worry during heatwaves. 

We had a newborn at home which made the heatwave incredibly stressful. Rather than celebrating the warm weather, I was anxious and terrified my baby would overheat.

How did we cope: 

• Sought out air conditioned spaces like the library (a bust, it was soooo hot inside), a new bar near us (success, the AC was amazing) and nearby museums (Tate modern, which wasn't as cool as I expected).
• Shut up our flat and stayed inside during the day - this had an incredibly negative effect on my mental health as I felt trapped and couldn't see or enjoy daylight between 10am and 7pm.
• Bought a portable air conditioner - this helped a little bit but due to the design of our flat windows the flat would only cool when the AC was on and immediately heated up once it was off. It was expensive, inefficient and bad for the environment.
• Bought fans when moving around - it made public transport slightly more bearable, though the high temperatures meant we needed to limit travel. 

What does London need

• Designated cool spaces. I was really surprised that such a big deal is made of warm spaces in winter but the council/government didn't do anything to offer cool spaces during dangerously hot weather.
• Better guidance, especially for vulnerable groups. I felt completely unprepared for the heat and had no idea how to keep my baby safe. So much is made of a "safe temperature" with zero guidance on what to do when that's impossible. Genuinely, how is my baby supposed to sleep in a room that's 16-22 degrees when it's 27 degrees outside at 10pm and we don't have AC in our rented flat?!
• Consideration of planning laws - proper insulation is supposed to keep properties warm in winter and cool in summer. Our flat held heat like you wouldn't believe. As heatwaves become more common, planning laws should consider how flats cool down without AC.
• Safer public transport - the heat on transport during summer is completely unsafe, especially when facing delays and overcrowded carriages/busses. 

This whole survey made me feel like London is just trying to find a way to put a bandaid on rising temperatures instead of forcing corporations to adapt sustainable practices and incentivizing people to shift to more sustainable behaviors. This did not fill me with confidence that our government is applying correct strategies to fix the problem. 

London summers are getting hotter, and council housing needs to catch up. Existing flats, maisonettes, and houses whether for social housing tenants or leaseholders where the council is the freeholder, should be adapted so residents aren’t left at risk in rising heat. Practical steps like reflective roofs, external shutters, and awnings would make a real difference. This should be treated on par with fire safety, because repeated heatwaves already cause excess deaths and the problem is only getting worse.

Having worked in communications for over 12 years, this survey felt more like a box-ticking exercise than a genuine consultation. It seems many of the decisions on which solutions to pursue have already been made, with much of the responsibility placed on individuals and households.

I’m also concerned that tree planting is only being discussed at a personal or community level. Recent research suggests it should be treated as a citywide priority (see BBC reference below).

Tree planting in city centres needs to "go harder and go faster" in order to help keep them cool ahead of future deadly heatwaves, an expert has said.

Scientists working on the problem have said planting more trees could cut air temperatures by up to 5C (9F).

Breezeways - outdoor passages with roofs that improve airflow - water features and curved buildings could also tackle the issue, but planting more trees should be the priority, said the team from Cardiff University.

 

I spend more time away from built up areas, especially areas with lots of glass buildings and tarmacked roads due to the heat they reflect and absorb respectively. Instead I try to go to parks, and on the hottest days I take myself out of London completely, often to the coast.

I've invested in a strong cold air blowing fan to help when I'm in my flat, and plan my journeys on public transport so that I use lines that offer air conditioning.

is appalling that air conditioning is yet to be absolutely standard roll our across the network. I'm an otherwise young, fit person but  develloped this condition as a result of the stress of my commute - which is decreased iin Winter. 

I've begun to either avoid the central line altogether which is a massive expense/inconvenience, or walk 1.5 miles to Whitechapel to get the Elizabeth line, meaning my commute is way longer and fills me with resentment towards tfl/khans inaction. 

It is one thing to equip myself with self help podcasts, earplugs, spray bottle, drinking water, a fan, and an armoured mindset, it's another to have to depend on total strangers if nothing works and I'm about to pass out. It may be noted, I rarely experience this on the lizzy line... Because although it may get rammed, it is COOLED.

We need proper building regulations and to stop building these inhabitable heat trap towers.

Also air conditioning on buses.

It is insane that the survey does not consider air conditioning. Trees and blinds are good but A/C is essential.

Installation of A/C should be legal on all new builds residential property.

Installation of A/C should be legal on all existing residential property - this means permitted by right without being overridden by Article 4 Directions.

The existing subsidy for heat pumps should be extended to cover heat pumps which also provide A/C. The current rules effectively disincentivise A/C even as thousands die from heat.

The NHS should engage in a capital works programme to add A/C to hospitals.

To cope with the heat, my priority is cooling down. During breaks, I remove my personal protective equipment (PPE) when in the social area of ​​the construction site. I stay hydrated by drinking water and orange juice, and I incorporate fresh fruit, milkshakes, smoothies, and snacks like watermelon, oranges, apple juice, yogurt, warm tea, and salted kefir into my diet.

I also cool my wrists, forehead, and neck with water (not in the wind). I close the curtains indoors and avoid opening windows during peak sunlight. I also invested in a small fan and humidify the air by spraying it with water when it gets too dry.

Install. Air. Conditioning. It’s staggering the opposition to this. There is no point in trying to save the environment if people are dying from heat. Climate change is real and it’s already here, start implementing real solutions to cope with it

I just did as little as I could all day. Heat waves like that give me headaches. The only logical moves to take is tackling climate change. Every individual needs to be taught the life adjustments they can make to reduce their carbon footprints, and every organisation should as well.

The Renters Rights Bill should be expanded to include rights to adequate ventilation, cooling, air conditioning etc. that landlord’s can’t refuse without reasonable grounds. My main issue is I’m not allowed to alter my space or install blinds/air conditioning/ventilation systems to keep myself safe. Renting in London is truly a life of a second class citizen, and it’s everyone who has to fend for themselves.

It should be mandatory for new builds to have proper insulation for heat and cold (walls and roofs) and have solar panels on roofs. Older properties need to be retrofitted for good insulation. Heat pumps have been mentioned for cooling as well as heating (air-source heat pumps) but these do not heat water so are not always suitable. Built-in window shutters, internal or external, would help keep rooms cool. All new residential buildings should have balconies/gardens for outside space and plants. 

So much of London is concrete and tarmac which soak up the heat during the day and act as radiators at night, expelling the heat they absorb during the day. 

New London Buses must have passenger air conditioning as standard. At present the have "air cooling" which is no good, doesn't work. I have had to get off buses after one stop on very hot days, because it's dangerously hot on board and cooler outside.

The London Plan officially discourages installation of air conditioning in new residential buildings, based on false claims that it increases the urban heat island effect. This must change. 

Air conditioning should be standard on new buildings, rather than being expensively retrofitted later, or impossible to retrofit. Dangerously hot workplaces are illegal, but the current London Plan is forcing dangerously hot homes on people. This is wrong.

Air conditioning is very efficient, for example a heat pump can cool as well as heat.