Heatwaves in England and Wales have become increasingly deadly due to climate change, with the UK government warning that heat-related deaths could exceed 10,000 in an average year by 2050 if no action is taken, according to The Guardian and The Ecologist. The rising frequency and intensity of extreme heat are straining infrastructure, public health systems, and vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, disabled individuals, and outdoor workers.

Record-Breaking Heat and Health Risks

High temperatures are associated with risks including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, stress on the heart and kidneys, and worsening chronic conditions such as heart disease, lung conditions, and diabetes, according to The Ecologist. Mental health can also deteriorate. And the risk of violence and drowning increases during heatwaves.

The June 2023 heatwave, which saw red warnings for extreme heat issued on consecutive days, was notable for its humidity as well as heat, Daytime temperatures were widely 15°C above the average for the month in England and Wales, while night-time temperature records were also set. Dr. Mark McCarthy of the Met Office described the two record-breaking heatwaves as “exceptional,” particularly for their timing and how early in the year they occurred.

Vulnerable Populations and Lack of Preparedness

Heatwaves are often described as “silent killers,” especially for elderly and vulnerable people who are at risk of dying alone and in their homes, according to The Guardian. Vulnerable groups such as disabled people, elderly people, and children are most at risk from extreme heat. Low-paid workers and those forced to work outside are also at high risk.

Hannah Martin, a parent in the UK, described the anxiety of caring for a one-year-old daughter during a heatwave when the room temperature reached 26°C—six degrees higher than the recommended temperature for a child’s room. She woke every few hours to check on her daughter using a baby monitor. This personal account highlights the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure and preparedness for extreme weather in the UK.

Dr. Clair Barnes from Imperial College London said heatwaves are the “most dangerous kind of extreme weather,” with the World Health Organisation recommending that authorities in Europe plan for extreme heat in the same way they do for winter flu. The UK’s infrastructure, from train tracks to housing, is not designed to handle the increasingly extreme weather patterns brought on by climate breakdown.

Call for Systemic Change

The UK is unprepared at every level for the extreme weather caused by climate breakdown. Unbearably hot buildings in the summer, damp and cold homes filled with mold in the winter, towns built on flood plains, and train tracks that shut down during weather warnings are all contributing to the growing crisis. The climate crisis is already wreaking havoc on public and private infrastructure—and it is only getting worse.

Examples of heat-related fatalities include a Spanish street sweeper who died in Barcelona after working for hours in the heat of the day, and a construction worker in France, David Azevedo, who died in 2022. These cases highlight the risks faced by outdoor and low-paid workers during heatwaves.

Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent and intense, according to Dr. McCarthy. The combination of extreme daytime heat, high humidity, and hot nights all contribute to the impact these heatwaves have on infrastructure, transport, agriculture, and particularly on health and well-being.