UK Faces 10,000 Annual Heatwave Deaths by 2050 Without Action, MPs Warn
The Environmental Audit Committee calls for urgent measures including naming heatwaves, creating green infrastructure, and retrofitting buildings for passive cooling.
- The UK could see up to 10,000 heatwave-related deaths annually by 2050 if no action is taken, according to a report from the Environmental Audit Committee.
- The increased frequency of extreme heat events could cost the UK economy £60bn a year.
- The report recommends the Met Office should name heatwaves in the same way as storms to help raise awareness of the threats.
- Other recommendations include creating more parks and 'green infrastructure', particularly in urban areas, and retrofitting homes and offices with passive cooling measures.
- The UK Health Security Agency issued its first ever 'level 4' heat alert in July 2022 when 40C was recorded for the first time.
Forbes 