The United Kingdom is currently enduring the peak of its third heatwave this year, a trend that coincides with Western Europe experiencing its hottest June on record. Scientists have confirmed that fossil fuel pollution has driven these punishing temperatures, which are causing significant strain across the continent and may lead to mass-mortality events for certain species due to rising ocean temperatures.
In response to the extreme conditions, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has expanded its amber heat health alerts to encompass all regions of England, with the exception of the north-east. This designation warns of significant potential impacts on health and social care services. The Met Office reports that temperatures are expected to remain high throughout most of next week, potentially making this one of the longest-lasting heatwaves since the 1976 event, which resulted in 250 deaths. On Thursday, temperatures in Surrey exceeded 35C (95F), following a provisional high of 37.7C recorded in Norfolk on 26 June. Thursday also marked the eighth day this year where temperatures topped 34C, surpassing the previous records set in 1976 and 2020.
Professor Friederike Otto of Imperial College London stated that the current heat is a direct consequence of the 1.4C of warming caused by fossil fuel consumption. She cautioned against viewing this as a “new normal,” noting that the climate remains unstable and will continue to warm as long as fossil fuels are burned, leading to increasingly severe heatwaves in the future.
Healthcare services are under immense pressure, with the NHS describing a “summer onslaught” exacerbated by the heat and the World Cup. June saw record-breaking daily A&E attendances, exceeding 80,000 for the first time. The South Central ambulance service reported a 118% increase in emergency calls involving cardiac arrests during the June heatwave. Meanwhile, more than 1,000 schools across the UK faced closures or partial closures due to the heat, as many buildings struggled to cope with the rising temperatures.
Infrastructure is also facing challenges, with water companies implementing hosepipe bans in Kent, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight to manage increased demand. In the retail sector, supermarkets have struggled to maintain refrigeration systems. The British Frozen Food Federation and the Cold Chain Federation noted that older refrigeration units are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Industry leaders suggest that the future of retail food access will likely change, with a shift away from open fridge-freezers toward enclosed units with Perspex doors to improve energy efficiency.
In France, where a nuclear reactor was reportedly shut down due to the heat, the high council on climate has urged policymakers to prioritize housing improvements. The council recommended the installation of cooling systems, shutters, and shaded green spaces to protect public health, lamenting a slowdown in climate action and emphasizing that the cost of inaction far exceeds the cost of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Rupert Ashby, the chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, said the trade association heard from a number of members who had encountered problems, and shops with older fridge-freezer units were being worst affected.
Phil Pluck, the chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, said 50% of cold warehouses in the UK were more than 20 years old with old refrigeration systems, and the hot weather had massively increased energy usage and pressure on the system.
