Latest news with #southeast
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Searing heat this week made ‘100 times more likely' by climate change
Searing temperatures of 32C this week have been made 100 times more likely because of human-caused climate change, scientists said. A rapid study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group also found the current heatwave in the south-east of England was around 10 times more likely than without human activity warming the planet. Dr Fredi Otto, from Imperial College London, warned heatwaves are 'silent killers', with the impacts of heat 'severely underestimated' and the UK unprepared for the kind of conditions hitting the country into the weekend. Older people are at the highest risk of death, as well as those with heart issues, respiratory illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, while this kind of heatwave earlier in the summer is more deadly as people are less acclimatised to coping with the warmer conditions, the experts warned. And wildfires are an 'emerging risk' in the summer in the UK, with conditions becoming more like southern Europe, the researchers said as they urged people to be very careful about barbecues, cigarettes and glass which can all ignite fires in the hot, dry weather. The study by WWA, which seeks to provide rapid assessments of the role of climate change in specific extreme weather events such as heatwaves or rainstorms that lead to flooding, is only the second time it has analysed an event as forecasted rather than one that has just happened. The analysis, which drew on observations for early summer heat in the south east of the UK, found that a heatwave – defined as three days of temperatures above 28C for the region – in June would be expected once every five years today. But without humans warming the atmosphere by around 1.3C since pre-industrial times, such a heatwave would only have occurred about once every 50 years, the study shows. The heatwave was made approximately 2-4C more intense as a result of the overall warming of the planet, meaning the current weather 'just wouldn't have been a heatwave without human-induced warming', Dr Ben Clarke, from Imperial College London, said. Temperatures had been forecast to hit 32C across the south east on Saturday and had already reached that level on Thursday in London. Heat of that level could be expected in June once in 25 years in the current climate, but only once in 2,500 years in June before industrialisation, the researchers said. While the impacts of temperatures rising above 30C are not as severe as the record-breaking heat topping 40C in some places in July 2022, the researchers warned people were still at risk. They urged people to ensure they were drinking enough water, and to encourage elderly relatives to do the same, avoid areas with high air pollution, keep windows and curtains shut during the day, and consider going to cooler public buildings such as museums to protect against the heat. Dr Clarke, researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, said: 'This heatwave is another reminder that our planet has already heated to a dangerous level. 'We're at 1.3C today, but heading for around 3C this century. 'With every fraction of a degree of warming, the UK will experience hotter, more dangerous heatwaves. 'That means more heat deaths, more pressure on the NHS, more transport disruptions, tougher work conditions and poorer air quality.' Dr Otto, associate professor in climate science at the Centre for Environmental Policy, said: 'We know exactly what has intensified this heatwave – burning oil, gas and coal, which has loaded the atmosphere with planet-heating greenhouse gases. 'It is totally insane we have political leaders in the UK trying to drag us back to the past with calls for more fossil fuels. 'The climate will continue to drive increasingly dangerous heatwaves, fires and floods in the UK until emissions are reduced to net zero globally.' She added that while people working in air conditioned offices would 'probably be OK' this week, poorer people working outdoors, in kitchens or other hot environments and then returning home to poorly insulated flats would be enduring hot conditions throughout. 'Making our societies more equal is essential to reduce the impacts of climate change,' Dr Otto said.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Searing heat this week made ‘100 times more likely' by climate change
Searing temperatures of 32C this week have been made 100 times more likely because of human-caused climate change, scientists said. A rapid study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group also found the current heatwave in the south-east of England was around 10 times more likely than without human activity warming the planet. Dr Fredi Otto, from Imperial College London, warned heatwaves are 'silent killers', with the impacts of heat 'severely underestimated' and the UK unprepared for the kind of conditions hitting the country into the weekend. Older people are at the highest risk of death, as well as those with heart issues, respiratory illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, while this kind of heatwave earlier in the summer is more deadly as people are less acclimatised to coping with the warmer conditions, the experts warned. And wildfires are an 'emerging risk' in the summer in the UK, with conditions becoming more like southern Europe, the researchers said as they urged people to be very careful about barbecues, cigarettes and glass which can all ignite fires in the hot, dry weather. The study by WWA, which seeks to provide rapid assessments of the role of climate change in specific extreme weather events such as heatwaves or rainstorms that lead to flooding, is only the second time it has analysed an event as forecasted rather than one that has just happened. The analysis, which drew on observations for early summer heat in the south east of the UK, found that a heatwave – defined as three days of temperatures above 28C for the region – in June would be expected once every five years today. But without humans warming the atmosphere by around 1.3C since pre-industrial times, such a heatwave would only have occurred about once every 50 years, the study shows. The heatwave was made approximately 2-4C more intense as a result of the overall warming of the planet, meaning the current weather 'just wouldn't have been a heatwave without human-induced warming', Dr Ben Clarke, from Imperial College London, said. Temperatures had been forecast to hit 32C across the south east on Saturday and had already reached that level on Thursday in London. Heat of that level could be expected in June once in 25 years in the current climate, but only once in 2,500 years in June before industrialisation, the researchers said. While the impacts of temperatures rising above 30C are not as severe as the record-breaking heat topping 40C in some places in July 2022, the researchers warned people were still at risk. They urged people to ensure they were drinking enough water, and to encourage elderly relatives to do the same, avoid areas with high air pollution, keep windows and curtains shut during the day, and consider going to cooler public buildings such as museums to protect against the heat. Dr Clarke, researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, said: 'This heatwave is another reminder that our planet has already heated to a dangerous level. 'We're at 1.3C today, but heading for around 3C this century. 'With every fraction of a degree of warming, the UK will experience hotter, more dangerous heatwaves. 'That means more heat deaths, more pressure on the NHS, more transport disruptions, tougher work conditions and poorer air quality.' Dr Otto, associate professor in climate science at the Centre for Environmental Policy, said: 'We know exactly what has intensified this heatwave – burning oil, gas and coal, which has loaded the atmosphere with planet-heating greenhouse gases. 'It is totally insane we have political leaders in the UK trying to drag us back to the past with calls for more fossil fuels. 'The climate will continue to drive increasingly dangerous heatwaves, fires and floods in the UK until emissions are reduced to net zero globally.' She added that while people working in air conditioned offices would 'probably be OK' this week, poorer people working outdoors, in kitchens or other hot environments and then returning home to poorly insulated flats would be enduring hot conditions throughout. 'Making our societies more equal is essential to reduce the impacts of climate change,' Dr Otto said.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
A $27 Kmart gadget very few know about is saving me from the bitterly cold Australian winter right now
Notoriously underprepared Aussies are shivering their way through the darkest week of the year, with a powerful cold front sending temperatures plummeting across the southeast. And in a bid to keep their sky-rocketing energy bills under control, thousands are turning to more affordable (and often less conventional) heating options. Kmart is a go-to for many, with one new item in particular capturing the attention of bargain hunters in the know: a heated foot warmer. The unusual $27 buy has been dubbed an 'instant win' on chilly mornings and as a sneaky addition under office desks. Sold in a sleek grey, the cosy slip-on find has adjustable heat settings (three) and gently warms the feet, aiding with both relaxation and circulation. It also has a long USB cord for ease of use, overheat protection and is USB powered so can be used almost anywhere. It's perfect for those icy mornings that catch you by surprise. It's not the only winter warmer shoppers are raving about, with a humble polar fleece blanket from the retailer boasting 105 rave reviews. The modest, fairly thin $4.50 throw is ideal for draping over living room furniture or beds while not in use and is 152cm x 127cm. It works as well as the big guys, however, with those who own it praising its 'insane softness' and 'instant warmth on movie nights'. 'The price is fantastic, it's large enough to use anywhere too,' one said. 'I bought this for my son to use at swim meets and it's been perfect. So many uses and super cheap,' another said. 'I love this throw over it's so soft and comfortable that I bought a second one,' one more added. Other big winter hits from Kmart include the Sherpa Heated Throw ($42) and the Heated Throw ($35). The former is available in chic sage green and is made with a cuddly combo of micro fleece and sherpa fleece fabric. It has nine heat settings, a 12-hour auto timer and a detachable controller. 'Love this heated throw, love the feel of the fleece, this is great on cold days/nights when watching TV,' a thrilled shopper wrote. The cheaper, smaller version comes in dark grey and is made from a lovely quilted micro fleece fabric. It also has nine heat settings, fast heating and an LED display. 'I love this so much, lives as a base on my couch and keeps me and the pets warm,' a reviewer raved. The cold front sweeping across Australia's southeast this week is delivering biting winds, showers, and a dusting of alpine snow to multiple regions. It's impacting major cities, including Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Hobart, along with surrounding areas in South Australia, Victoria, southeast New South Wales, and Tasmania.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
UK faces daily water shortage of five billion litres a day by 2055 unless urgent action is taken as officials warn it will 'threaten way of life'
England will face public water shortages of five billion litres a day by 2055 unless urgent action is taken, officials have warned. The shortfall – equivalent to a third of the country's daily use – is being blamed on climate change, population growth and more demand from businesses. Without urgent action to cut leaks, curb use and build new reservoirs, there is a likelihood of environmental damage, restricted economic growth, interruptions to supplies and a lack of resilience in areas such as energy and food production, the Environment Agency said. The Environment Agency also warned that the wider economy faces a further deficit of one billion litres a day, with growing demand from the energy sector, food production and businesses such as water-intensive data centres. The highly populated south east region of England faces the biggest shortfall, with an estimated extra two billion litres of water a day needed between 2030 and 2055. Sixty per cent of fixing the shortage needs to come from water companies managing demand and halving the amount of water lost to leaks, the EA warned. The rest would come from new reservoirs and desalination plants – which turn seawater into drinking water – and moving water from wetter parts of the country to drier areas. But with those kind of projects taking years to come online, initially some 80 per cent of water shortfalls need to be met by reducing demand and tackling leaks, the agency said. The warning comes in the Environment Agency's national framework for water resources, published every five years and setting out the actions needed by utilities, regulators and businesses and the public to manage under-pressure resources. The EA warns that the population of England is set to increase by eight million by 2055, increasing demand for water for everything from washing and appliances to leisure activities on golf courses and sports pitches. Climate change is likely to reduce the amount of available water, with hotter, drier summers limiting resources and increasing demand from households, while at the same time the amount taken from rivers and groundwater will need to be reduced to protect wildlife and the environment. The warning comes in the wake of England's hottest spring on record, and the country's driest for more than 100 years, with the North West and Yorkshire in drought, some reservoirs at extremely low levels, farmers struggling to grow crops and households facing the prospect of hosepipe bans. The Environment Agency warned it was 'vital' water companies delivered on their commitments to reduce leakage by 17 per cent in the next five years and by 50 per cent by 2050. The EA wants to see a rollout of smart meters, including upgrading existing standard meters, which the agency said would help households reduce their water use, enable companies to target efforts to curb demand and spot leaks - while also taking steps to protect vulnerable customers. And the agency said it would continue to work with the Government on a mandatory efficiency labelling scheme for appliances such as dishwashers, toilets and showers. The EA also said there were small steps the public can take, such as shortening showers, turning off taps when brushing teeth, using full loads for dishwashers and washing machines, collecting water for garden use and deleting old emails to reduce pressure on data centre servers. Emerging industries such as data centres and hydrogen production, which use large amounts of water for cooling systems, need to look at more options for using recycled water rather than public water supplies to meet their needs, the EA said. The report estimates that the water needs for carbon capture and storage technology, used to store greenhouse gas emissions from power stations or industry deep underground, and hydrogen production alone will amount to 767 million litres a day by 2050. Navigation of waterways, leisure facilities and the chemicals industry all put demands on water resources, while there is the potential for 'new large demand' as new data centres are built, the report said. Environment Agency chairman Alan Lovell said: 'The nation's water resources are under huge and steadily increasing pressure. 'This deficit threatens not only the water from your tap but also economic growth and food production. 'Taking water unsustainably from the environment will have a disastrous impact on our rivers and wildlife. 'We need to tackle these challenges head on and strengthen work on co-ordinated action to preserve this precious resource and our current way of life.' The Government says it has secured £104 billion in private sector spending in water company infrastructure over the next five years, including £8 billion committed to boost water supply and manage demand, and is stepping in to speed up the construction of a series of major reservoirs. But consumers have reacted angrily to rising bills in the face of polluted rivers, lakes and seas, shareholder payouts and executive bonuses.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
The parts of England that will hit 29C this week
High pressure from the Azores is bringing clear skies and high temperatures to the UK next week. London and the south of England will see temperatures around 29 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with the mini-heatwave continuing into the weekend. The north of England will experience temperatures in the mid-20s, while Scotland will see highs around 22 degrees. The Met Office forecasts drier, sunnier weather from the south as high pressure builds, with very warm conditions returning to the southeast. The last week of June is expected to bring wet and windy conditions to the northwest, while the southeast will remain more settled with sunshine. UK set for mini-heatwave as temperatures to soar to 29 degrees
