How will things change if our summers keep getting hotter

The changes will come gradually. A week or so ago the weather was dull and chilly and no doubt in a few days it will be much cooler again. Surely in the mean time we can cope with a bit of common sense.

Cossy

One of my friends lives in Spain, Costa del Sol. It’s going to be 40c this week, and very hot for at least 6 weeks.

She only goes out very early in the morning and much later in the evening and stays inside days with air con on.

Ditto my friend who lives in Vence, near Nice.

The biggest differences are all their homes, and most of their shops and restaurants have air con, both these ladies have access to big outdoor swimming pools, workers shut down in the middle of the day, all have a siesta for a couple of hours in the hottest part of the day.

Cannot see how that would work here.

It is hard to imagine.
Also in hotter countries families go out late in the evenings and all the shops/cafes/restaurants are open. Because is too hot to go out earlier.
Is a whole different culture.
But in time we may no choice than to develop a different culture in order to survive rising temps.

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butterandjam

South east UK is already short of water, and as that gets worse , it will be prioritised for hygeine, medical care, farm crops and livestock, and industry.

Rivers will probably be unfit to swim in. Forget swimming pools, spas, and a bath at home. Showers will be rationed ( like bathwater used to be); a short shower twice a week. Damp wash with a facecloth if you're lucky.

As irrigation reduces or fails, UK food production of basic harvests ( grain, potatoes) is going to be a big problem. We'll be increasingly dependent on imports.

You southerners had better keep your big suntrap windows because you'll need them to trap heat in summer when CH is too expensive. AC takes a lot of fuel, so don't count on that. Better install some shutters or exterior awnings for summer. Install an opening roof window so you can vent hot air via the loft in summer. Plant some shady trees.

We have the shady trees, planted nearly 100 years ago - thanks whoever did that. Means we can grow cottage garden plants in the shade.
I think an opening window in the loft is a brilliant idea - cool house here, but the loft gets boiling & if it's hot for a while, heats everything else up.

Perhaps I being negative but I cannot imagine how we will adjust without a great deal of expense and modifications to properties, lifestyle etc.

It won’t be up to us it will be in the hands of future generations.
We have had to accept the existence of climate change but our grandchildren are growing up with it. Their world will be different.

Surely air con would run off solar power and not be prohibitively expensive. The cost would be battery storage if you want to run it at night. Aren't solar panel systemsdue to be sold in supermarkets?

MartavTaurus

First of need to be looking at installing air conditioning in our schools and hospitals. It's unreasonable to expect people to work in stifling conditions. The trouble is that this doesn't come cheap.

It’s not just the install too, running them is expensive and many of our older properties are simply not suitable.

Air con certainly helps make life pleasant.

merlotgran

Why such a negative attitude? Surely we are capable of adapting over time?

Have you any idea how much air cons costs to 1) instal and 2) run in this country?

We are simply not geared up for the kind of hot climates which other countey’s deal with well.

We’d been the same if we suddenly were hot with long cold winters such as Canada have.

Perhaps I being negative but I cannot imagine how we will adjust without a great deal of expense and modifications to properties, lifestyle etc.

Happygirl79

Im sure that instead of us Brits chasing the sun in Europe the Europeans will be coming here for a cooler climate to holiday!

But they won’t. It’s boiling in the touristy areas in Europe and they are set for hot weather.

Air con, beach bars, many hotels, pools, plenty of good cheap restaurants.

Why such a negative attitude? Surely we are capable of adapting over time?

One of my friends lives in Spain, Costa del Sol. It’s going to be 40c this week, and very hot for at least 6 weeks.

She only goes out very early in the morning and much later in the evening and stays inside days with air con on.

Ditto my friend who lives in Vence, near Nice.

The biggest differences are all their homes, and most of their shops and restaurants have air con, both these ladies have access to big outdoor swimming pools, workers shut down in the middle of the day, all have a siesta for a couple of hours in the hottest part of the day.

Cannot see how that would work here.

Calendargirl

Yes, the desire to go to warmer countries in our summer won’t be necessary.

Who wants to bake in Spain or Italy when you can just stay home?

Should be good for our tourist industry, carbon emissions….

Am afraid our tourist industry isn’t cut out for thousands of Europeans coming here for their jollies. In countries like Spain and Portugal etc., there is huge investment in the tourist industry with many resorts and beach based facilities.
And for families here in the UK it can still be cheaper to holiday in Europe than in a hotel etc., in the UK where prices can be much higher and facilities nowhere near as good.

My 5yr old grandson every Mondays Rain or shine, has most of his lessons outside. However, today he's just reported that they didn't go out as it was too hot.
Schools will also have to look at the School day, if this is going to be the normal, especially here in the Sunny South. It registered 45°in my garden this afternoon.
Children are encouraged to be outside as much as possible but not when the Temperature are over 30°.

Yes, the desire to go to warmer countries in our summer won’t be necessary.

Who wants to bake in Spain or Italy when you can just stay home?

Should be good for our tourist industry, carbon emissions….

South east UK is already short of water, and as that gets worse , it will be prioritised for hygeine, medical care, farm crops and livestock, and industry.

Rivers will probably be unfit to swim in. Forget swimming pools, spas, and a bath at home. Showers will be rationed ( like bathwater used to be); a short shower twice a week. Damp wash with a facecloth if you're lucky.

As irrigation reduces or fails, UK food production of basic harvests ( grain, potatoes) is going to be a big problem. We'll be increasingly dependent on imports.

You southerners had better keep your big suntrap windows because you'll need them to trap heat in summer when CH is too expensive. AC takes a lot of fuel, so don't count on that. Better install some shutters or exterior awnings for summer. Install an opening roof window so you can vent hot air via the loft in summer. Plant some shady trees.

Meant to read,
First of all, we need ......

I’ve been gradually changing my garden from traditional cottage style planting to Mediterranean over the last few years.
The lawn has gone - replaced by gravel, potted olive trees, bay and citrus fruit trees have replaced Japanese acers and other shade and moisture loving plants perennial grasses are included more in the borders.
I’m avoiding adding anything new if it requires regular watering so no more hanging baskets.
I do make exception for tomatoes though as I can’t live without them.
I have blinds rather than curtains in the house. I don’t mind closing blinds on a hot day but find drawn curtains rather depressing.
I’m glad I no longer have to go to work.

First of need to be looking at installing air conditioning in our schools and hospitals. It's unreasonable to expect people to work in stifling conditions. The trouble is that this doesn't come cheap.

I think we gardeners will have to change the types of plants we grow. In our house we already look for drought tolerant plants. Sadly our garden isn't big enough for a palm tree!

Sorry, typos, my head feels like it is being boiled in a bag atm, temps here in London are now tipping over the 30 degree mark.

AGAA4

An upper temperature limit will need to be made law at some point soon. Hours would need to be changed in schools with people working earlier in the morning and later in the day.

I noticed in Switzerland that there were water fountains around. I'm sure we used to have them but haven't seen any for years. It was hot when I was there and people were using them to splash themselves to cool down and drink from.
These hot spells will continue and get worse so things need to change.

I agree that schools and places of work will need to adapt to the increasing temps. And dress codes for offices/retailers need to change, certainly men should not be wearing suits in extre extreme temp but allowed to wear smart/casual shorts and tees. The same goes for school uniforms. Shorts and tees with the school logo sewn onto them should be worn in hotter temps. A lot of it is common sense.
Also I think that water fountains and drinking fountains should be installed in busy public areas.

An upper temperature limit will need to be made law at some point soon. Hours would need to be changed in schools with people working earlier in the morning and later in the day.

I noticed in Switzerland that there were water fountains around. I'm sure we used to have them but haven't seen any for years. It was hot when I was there and people were using them to splash themselves to cool down and drink from.
These hot spells will continue and get worse so things need to change.

Really good questions that will ned to be addressed Fallingstar. It will cost though and needs to be started soon. It surely must be factored into government mandates and policy. I'm also concerned that there is no upper limit of temperature which is deemed safe in schools & offices etc. There is in Europe. I feel sorry for the kids and teachers this week in poorly built schools.And it is left to the discretion of the Headteacher to close the school or change the hours. This would of course cause huge disruption for parents. My GC said yesterday that her classroom is the hottest in the school. I can't say that I'm looking forward to this week 🤣

We will need to have air con in our homes, workplaces and schools. People would be unable to function properly in 40+ degrees.