This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44956310

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Regular heatwaves 'will kill thousands' Regular heatwaves 'will kill thousands'
(35 minutes later)
The current heatwave could become the new normal for UK summers by 2040 because of climate change, MPs say.The current heatwave could become the new normal for UK summers by 2040 because of climate change, MPs say.
The Environmental Audit Committee warns of 7,000 heat-related deaths every year in the UK by 2050 if the government doesn't act quickly.The Environmental Audit Committee warns of 7,000 heat-related deaths every year in the UK by 2050 if the government doesn't act quickly.
Higher temperatures put some people at increased risk of dying from cardiac, kidney and respiratory diseases.Higher temperatures put some people at increased risk of dying from cardiac, kidney and respiratory diseases.
The MPs say ministers must act to protect people - especially with an ageing population in the UK.The MPs say ministers must act to protect people - especially with an ageing population in the UK.
Scientists differ on whether the current global rash of heatwaves is definitely caused by climate change.Scientists differ on whether the current global rash of heatwaves is definitely caused by climate change.
But all agree that future heatwaves will be hotter and more frequent thanks to carbon emissions.But all agree that future heatwaves will be hotter and more frequent thanks to carbon emissions.
The MPs point to a warning from the Met Office that UK summer temperatures could regularly reach 38.5C by the 2040s. The MPs highlight a warning from the Met Office that UK summer temperatures could regularly reach 38.5C by the 2040s.
How can people be protected?How can people be protected?
The government says it is committed to cutting carbon emissions, although it is not on track to meet its targets.The government says it is committed to cutting carbon emissions, although it is not on track to meet its targets.
The MPs say current plans will not stop buildings overheating, and ministers should be smarter about heat-proofing the UK.The MPs say current plans will not stop buildings overheating, and ministers should be smarter about heat-proofing the UK.
Tougher rules are needed to ensure homes and transport networks can deal with extreme heat.Tougher rules are needed to ensure homes and transport networks can deal with extreme heat.
And local councils should plant trees and keep green spaces to provide cool air, they say. And local councils should plant trees and keep green spaces to provide cool air.
What about the NHS?What about the NHS?
The usual number of consultations for heat-related illness doubled during the 2013 heatwave, the report says. During the 2003 heatwave, excess deaths in nursing homes in parts of the UK rose by 42%.
And the MPs want hospitals and care homes inspected to check they can cope with scorching heat. The MPs want hospitals and care homes inspected to check they can cope with scorching heat.
"The ability of nursing homes to cope with the serious health impact of heatwaves on older people is not assessed," the report says. Committee chair Mary Creagh said: "Heatwaves threaten health, wellbeing and productivity.
This is worrying given that in the 2003 heatwave, excess deaths in nursing homes in some parts of the UK rose by 42%.
Mary Creagh, who chairs the Environmental Audit Committee, said: "Heatwaves threaten health, wellbeing and productivity.
"The government must stop playing pass-the-parcel with local councils and the NHS, and develop a strategy to protect our ageing population from this increasing risk.""The government must stop playing pass-the-parcel with local councils and the NHS, and develop a strategy to protect our ageing population from this increasing risk."
Which homes are most at risk from heat? Which homes are most at risk?
In a densely populated city, temperatures will be higher.In a densely populated city, temperatures will be higher.
Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s can present a particular risk - so can flats with windows that are small, hard to open or all face the same way. Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s can present a particular risk, as can flats with windows that are small, hard to open or all face the same way.
The committee complains that there is no regulation to prevent overheating in buildings. The committee complains there is no regulation to prevent overheating in buildings.
It wants the government to stop supporting the building of modular homes, which are factory-made then bolted together on site. They are not resilient to hot weather, it says. It wants the government to stop supporting the building of modular homes, which are factory-made then bolted together. They are not resilient to hot weather.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Climate Change wants shading structures introduced on buildings. It also calls for shading structures on buildings.
Will there be a problem with transport? Will transport be hit?
The report says only 50% of the UK's motorways and major roads are surfaced with material that can withstand the kind of summer temperatures the country is beginning to experience regularly. The report says only 50% of UK motorways and major roads are surfaced with material that can withstand the kind of summer temperatures the country is beginning to experience regularly.
During the peak of the June heatwave, railway tracks buckled - causing cancellations and delays. During June's heatwave, railway tracks buckled causing cancellations and delays.
How should offices and schools adapt?How should offices and schools adapt?
High heat reduces productivity. Workers arriving sweating to the office take time before they're ready to do the job. People working outside find themselves doing less and needing more breaks.High heat reduces productivity. Workers arriving sweating to the office take time before they're ready to do the job. People working outside find themselves doing less and needing more breaks.
The committee says Public Health England should tell employers to relax dress codes and allow flexible working in heatwaves.The committee says Public Health England should tell employers to relax dress codes and allow flexible working in heatwaves.
The government should also consider introducing maximum workplace temperatures, especially for physical work. Maximum workplace temperatures should also be introduced, especially for physical work.
In schools, head teachers should be advised about safe temperatures in the classroom. And they should relax school uniform policy during hot weather. In schools, head teachers should be advised about safe classroom temperatures. And they should relax school uniform policy during hot weather.
A recent study suggested that wealthy private schools that could afford air conditioning would increase the relative exam success of their pupils during summer heat. A recent study suggested wealthy private schools that could afford air conditioning would increase the relative exam success of their pupils during summer heat.
Should we fear the heat island? Should we fear heat island?
Cities can be up to 10C hotter than the surrounding countryside because hard surfaces absorb heat during the day and give out heat at night. This is the heat island effect.Cities can be up to 10C hotter than the surrounding countryside because hard surfaces absorb heat during the day and give out heat at night. This is the heat island effect.
If people get too hot in bed, it prevents them recovering from the previous day's heat. The MPs say that in the 2003 heatwave, excess deaths in London increased by 42%. If people get too hot in bed, it prevents them recovering from the previous day's heat.
Yet the government's planning framework makes no mention of the heat island effect.Yet the government's planning framework makes no mention of the heat island effect.
What's more, ministers withdrew funding for local authority climate change adaptation officers, who were trying to tackle the issue. What's more, ministers withdrew funding for local authority climate change adaptation officers, who were working on the issue.
The report says the government should introduce an urban green infrastructure target - and ensure towns and cities are adapted to more frequent heatwaves. The report calls for an urban green infrastructure target, and for towns and cities to be adapted to more frequent heatwaves.
What about water supplies in heatwaves? What about water supplies?
The committee wants new homes to have to use water more efficiently. There have been consistent demands for the water companies to store more water - especially in the dry south east of England - and to plug leaks. New homes should have to use water more efficiently, MPs say. There have been consistent demands for water companies to store more water, especially in dry south-east England, and to plug leaks.
Kathryn Brown, head of adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change, said: "Water shortages are a concern - we can expect greater water deficits across the country, including in cooler wetter areas like north-west England. Kathryn Brown, head of adaptation at the Committee on Climate Change, said: "Water shortages are a concern. We can expect greater water deficits across the country, including in cooler wetter areas like north-west England.
"The area of land well suited to the production of water-intensive crops, such as rain-fed potatoes, could decline by over 80% by the 2050s.""The area of land well suited to the production of water-intensive crops, such as rain-fed potatoes, could decline by over 80% by the 2050s."
Will we get out-of-season heatwaves?Will we get out-of-season heatwaves?
The committee says the government's heatwave alert system runs only from June to September, so vulnerable people will not be warned about unseasonal heatwaves.The committee says the government's heatwave alert system runs only from June to September, so vulnerable people will not be warned about unseasonal heatwaves.
The MPs heard that alerts are put out only if approximately 30°C is reached - even though the medical director at Public Health England said heat-related deaths began at upwards of 25°C. The MPs heard that alerts are put out only if approximately 30°C is reached, even though Public Health England said heat-related deaths began at upwards of 25°C.
What about cold weather?What about cold weather?
In the UK, many more preventable deaths happen because of cold weather than hot weather - but the government has failed to deliver its targets for insulating homes. In the UK, many more preventable deaths happen because of cold weather than hot weather, but the government has failed to deliver its targets for insulating homes.
If the UK's winters get warmer, as generally predicted, winter deaths will be reduced. But in a year like this one, the UK has suffered extremes of cold and heat.If the UK's winters get warmer, as generally predicted, winter deaths will be reduced. But in a year like this one, the UK has suffered extremes of cold and heat.
Both heat-related and cold-related health burdens in future will be amplified by population ageing.Both heat-related and cold-related health burdens in future will be amplified by population ageing.
How will heatwaves affect poor countries?How will heatwaves affect poor countries?
Charities will point out that the UK's challenges from future heatwaves will be dwarfed by those in poor nations, which haven't caused the climate problem. Charities point out that the UK's challenges from future heatwaves will be dwarfed by those in poor nations, which haven't caused the climate problem.
A study by Prof Richard Tol, at the University of Sussex, suggests that poorer countries are likely to see their economic growth slowed because they depend on agriculture and outdoor work. A study by Prof Richard Tol, at the University of Sussex, suggests poorer countries are likely to see their economic growth slowed because they depend on agriculture and outdoor work.
His study says nations with hot climates will need economies three times larger than cooler countries if they are to withstand significant temperature rises.His study says nations with hot climates will need economies three times larger than cooler countries if they are to withstand significant temperature rises.
He said: "[This] raises concerns over the inequality of future climate impacts, and [raises] calls for policymakers to consider poverty reduction as a crucial element of climate policy." He says policymakers must consider poverty reduction as a crucial element of climate policy.
What does the government say?What does the government say?
An official told BBC News the government would "carefully consider" the climate report and would keep taking "robust action to ensure our country is resilient and prepared" for the challenges ahead. An official told BBC News the government would "carefully consider" the report and would keep taking "robust action to ensure our country is resilient and prepared".
"We will continue to support vulnerable people across society by issuing public health alerts during spells of hot weather, providing advice to schools, and taking steps to tackle overheating risks in new homes. It would support vulnerable people with health alerts, provide advice to schools, and tackle overheating risks in new homes, the official said.
"Our long-term plan for climate change adaptation sets out ongoing work and investment to make sure food and water supplies are protected, businesses and communities are properly prepared and the right infrastructure is in place And the "long-term plan for climate change adaptation" would see work and investment to protect food and water supplies, businesses and communities.
Follow Roger on Twitter.Follow Roger on Twitter.