The sun rises above the London skyline. Reuters
The sun rises above the London skyline. Reuters
London has experienced 116 days over 30°C in the past three decades – more than half of which, 59, occurred in the last 10 years. AP
London has experienced 116 days over 30°C in the past three decades – more than half of which, 59, occurred in the last 10 years. AP
Extreme temperatures have become more frequent too, with seven days above 35°C in the past three decades, five of which occurred in the last five years. AP
Extreme temperatures have become more frequent too, with seven days above 35°C in the past three decades, five of which occurred in the last five years. AP
Since 2017, every year except 2021 has seen the temperature rise above 30C in London for three or more consecutive days each summer. AP
Since 2017, every year except 2021 has seen the temperature rise above 30C in London for three or more consecutive days each summer. AP
It will take a range of strategies to adapt Britain’s capital to the growing heat. Bloomberg
It will take a range of strategies to adapt Britain’s capital to the growing heat. Bloomberg
The Tube can be exceptionally uncomfortable during heatwaves in London. PA
The Tube can be exceptionally uncomfortable during heatwaves in London. PA
Experts have said technological interventions, such as better building insulation are required. Bloomberg
Experts have said technological interventions, such as better building insulation are required. Bloomberg
A person holds a thermometer at Oxford Road station of the London underground in 2022. PA
A person holds a thermometer at Oxford Road station of the London underground in 2022. PA
Many Londoners take to city fountains to cool off in the summer. Reuters
Many Londoners take to city fountains to cool off in the summer. Reuters
A member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during a heatwave in July 2022. Reuters
A member of the Queen's Guard receives water to drink during a heatwave in July 2022. Reuters
A study looked at how climate change is affecting the world’s most populous capital cities – using airport data for consistency across cities, including City Airport in London. Reuters
A study looked at how climate change is affecting the world’s most populous capital cities – using airport data for consistency across cities, including City Airport in London. Reuters
Summers have been getting warmed in London. City office workers stretch out over the grass during a hot summer lunchtime in Trinity Square in the City of London, July 1993, in London. Getty Images
Summers have been getting warmed in London. City office workers stretch out over the grass during a hot summer lunchtime in Trinity Square in the City of London, July 1993, in London. Getty Images
Researchers called for urgent action to prepare the capital for more days of extreme heat. Getty Images
Researchers called for urgent action to prepare the capital for more days of extreme heat. Getty Images
Temperatures exceeding 30°C are increasingly being recorded in London, analysis shows. Getty Images
Temperatures exceeding 30°C are increasingly being recorded in London, analysis shows. Getty Images
There have been calls for London to adapt to its new reality. Getty Images
There have been calls for London to adapt to its new reality. Getty Images
Smoke from fires in a residential area in Wennington, England. Getty Images
Smoke from fires in a residential area in Wennington, England. Getty Images
London has also suffered from flooding and other extreme weather. Getty Images
London has also suffered from flooding and other extreme weather. Getty Images
Experts have called for more tree cover and extending green space to combat the urban heat island effect, where cities are hotter because of their built-up nature. EPA
Experts have called for more tree cover and extending green space to combat the urban heat island effect, where cities are hotter because of their built-up nature. EPA
People take shelter in the entrance to an underground station, as torrential rain and thunderstorms hit London in 2022 Getty Images
People take shelter in the entrance to an underground station, as torrential rain and thunderstorms hit London in 2022 Getty Images

News

UK

London urged to face 'new reality' of temperatures regularly above 30°C

Researchers call for urgent action to prepare the capital for more days of extreme heat

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi
London

April 30, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Temperatures exceeding 30°C are increasingly being recorded in London, analysis shows, prompting calls for the city to adapt to its “new reality”.

London has experienced 116 days over 30°C in the past three decades – more than half of which, 59, occurred in the last 10 years, according to research by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

Statistics from 1994-2023 also show extreme temperatures have become more frequent too, with seven days above 35°C in the past three decades, five of which occurred in the last five years.

Consecutive days above 30°C are becoming more common – in the 1990s and 2000s, there were two years in each decade with three or more days in a row where temperatures soared over 30C.

But since 2017, every year except 2021 has seen the temperature rise above 30C in London for three or more consecutive days each summer.

Extreme heat can kill, worsening existing health conditions and raising the risk of illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, as well as affecting people’s ability to work and learn, and infrastructure.

The analysis is part of a broader research project being undertaken by the IIED independent research organisation to look at how climate change is affecting the world’s most populous capital cities – using airport data for consistency across cities, including City Airport in London.

“London is getting hotter and needs to take urgent action to adapt to this new reality,” Tucker Landesmann, a senior researcher on IIED’s human settlements team, said.

It will take a range of strategies to adapt Britain’s capital to the growing heat, he said, including more tree cover and extending green space to combat the urban heat island effect, where cities are hotter than the area around them because of their built-up nature.

Technological interventions, such as better building insulation that can make hot days more bearable, are also required, he said, adding that London could learn from places with a much longer history of living with extreme heat.

“Adapting to a hotter reality is going to take serious investment,” he added.

“But the costs of not taking action are also high in terms of people’s health and lost productivity.”

He said London has the resources and technology to adapt but “bold action” is required to make the change.

“Extreme heat affects everyone but it’s more dangerous for certain people – the young, the elderly, those living in substandard housing, and those who don’t have access to cooler places,” he said.

“Taking action on climate change, therefore, can also address inequality. It’s a win-win outcome.

“It’s clear that the extreme heat is here to stay, and London must adapt soon to remain liveable for everyone.”

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

While you're here
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
MATCH INFO

Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)

RESULT

Chelsea 2

Willian 13'

Ross Barkley 64'

Liverpool 0

One in four Americans don't plan to retire

Nearly a quarter of Americans say they never plan to retire, according to a poll that suggests a disconnection between individuals' retirement plans and the realities of ageing in the workforce.

Experts say illness, injury, layoffs and caregiving responsibilities often force older workers to leave their jobs sooner than they'd like.

According to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, 23 per cent of workers, including nearly two in 10 of those over 50, don't expect to stop working. Roughly another quarter of Americans say they will continue working beyond their 65th birthday.

According to government data, about one in five people 65 and older was working or actively looking for a job in June. The study surveyed 1,423 adults in February this year.

For many, money has a lot to do with the decision to keep working.

"The average retirement age that we see in the data has gone up a little bit, but it hasn't gone up that much," says Anqi Chen, assistant director of savings research at the Centre for Retirement Research at Boston College. "So people have to live in retirement much longer, and they may not have enough assets to support themselves in retirement."

When asked how financially comfortable they feel about retirement, 14 per cent of Americans under the age of 50 and 29 per cent over 50 say they feel extremely or very prepared, according to the poll. About another four in 10 older adults say they do feel somewhat prepared, while just about one-third feel unprepared. 

"One of the things about thinking about never retiring is that you didn't save a whole lot of money," says Ronni Bennett, 78, who was pushed out of her job as a New York City-based website editor at 63.

She searched for work in the immediate aftermath of her layoff, a process she describes as akin to "banging my head against a wall." Finding Manhattan too expensive without a steady stream of income, she eventually moved to Portland, Maine. A few years later, she moved again, to Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Sometimes I fantasise that if I win the lottery, I'd go back to New York," says Ms Bennett.

 

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Updated: May 01, 2024, 9:09 AM
LondonClimate changeEnvironmentPollution