The UK Met Office has issued a Red Extreme heat weather warning for the first time in the nation's history. It will apply to parts of central, northern, eastern, and southeastern England on Mon. and Tues., with temperatures expected to hit the high 30s°C [over 95°F] and, perhaps, 40°C [104°F].
According to experts, the "level four alert" will likely cause thousands of preventable deaths in the upcoming days. Both healthy people, and especially those with underlying conditions, could be at risk.
The UK government must do more to adapt homes and cities in preparation for more intense and deadly summer heat. Climate breakdown has made simmering heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent. Human beings have no choice but to adjust to the disruptive changes we have created.
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality, they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.