It’s been incredibly hot in Britain this week, breaking the record for the hottest July day on the first day of the month(1). We’re not used to dealing with heat, often more concerned with remaining warm during winter. Very few homes have air conditioning, and while malls and some offices do have air con, many businesses and services make do with fans which largely push warm air around. Even our rail lines are at risk of buckling under the heat(2).
Climate change is likely a part of the reason for the extremes of weather that are occurring globally with increasing frequency. Thirty years ago we started to understand the importance of recycling, of renewable energy, of banning CFCs, and to recognise the impact an increasing population has on consumption and pollution. We did not do enough.
Other countries have done somewhat better; Germany generates seventy four per cent of energy through renewable sources(3). In 2013 only 15% of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources(4).
I believe that we (locally and globally) need to do better, or things are going to get worse.
Sources
1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33324881
2 http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/london-weather-paddington-fast-trains-cancelled-as-heatwave–risk-of-buckled-tracks-10354445.html
3 http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/05/13/3436923/germany-energy-records/
4 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/20/uk-on-track-to-meet-its-renewable-energy-targets
L M Dee 