Following the news of unusually high temperatures that can reach 40C in some areas in direct sunlight, new research has been conducted into the most vulnerable areas in England to heat. Campaigners from the University of Manchester and Friends of the Earth have been investigating the problem to assess the areas most affected and least able to cope.
Weather forecasters have advised Britons who will feel the heat this weekend as concerns mount for the NHS and other emergency services.
Trip interruptions are expected with reduced rail speed limits to keep the tracks cool, concerns about melting asphalt on the roads, and people suffering from the heat in their cars are likely to see more accidents.
Emergency services are also concerned about an increase in water-related incidents as people try to cool down and the health problems of children, the elderly and the vulnerable.
Birmingham has been identified by the survey as an area with the highest number of communities in urgent need of help to cope with the heat this week and this weekend.
According to the data, Birmingham is closely followed by Nottingham and the London boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.
Factors included in the survey to identify vulnerable areas included the analysis of more than 40 factors.
Age was one of the most important factors with heat-related risks and is well known among toddlers and the elderly.
Another was surprising the crime rates in a particular area, because in an area with higher rates, fewer people are likely to open their windows to cool off.
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The layout and landscape of the areas also played a crucial role in the assessment as places with a lot of concrete that absorb more heat, especially high-rise buildings, than those with green space that has a cooling effect through shelter and space.
Friends of the Earth’s Head of Science, Policy and Research Mike Childs told Sky News that the number of people dealing with extreme heat is “growing very rapidly as the planet gets warmer.”
Mr Childs said this showed the “real human consequence” of not reducing emissions.
He added that such research “sends a very strong signal to politicians that we need to double our emissions, unlike some of the candidates to become our next prime minister… who suggest we may be able to call back on climate action.”
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Mr Childs wishes that after the survey, the vulnerable areas would receive more support in the form of more air conditioning, renovated homes and planting more trees.
He added that it is a question of “honesty” and “race” as ethnically diverse people are more affected by such problems than white people.
In fact, they are four times more likely to be in a vulnerable community than a white person with the worst-affected areas with a below-average carbon footprint.
A government spokesman said the UK has cut emissions faster than any other G7 country and has made £1.2bn available to councils for local change.