The areas in England most vulnerable to hotter weather have been revealed, following Met Office reports that exceptional heat is possible for southern and central areas in the coming days.
We might enjoy basking in the sunshine, but Birmingham could be the hardest hit and least able to cope in the future, according to an analysis from Manchester University and campaigners Friends of the Earth (FoE). The London boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney also made the list, as did Nottingham and Leicester.
Unlike vast, green spaces which provide shelter from the sun (and offer a much-needed breeze), urban areas with concrete buildings absorb more warmth, with some likely to overheat.
Read more on the heatwave:
The findings, which send "a very strong signal to politicians that we need to double down on cutting our carbon emissions," found that the number of people exposed to extreme heat increasingly grows as the planet warms up. The UK's climate has continued to warm, with around 800 extra people dying due to heat each year.
"Extreme heatwaves and health alerts like we're seeing this week, will become much more frequent and severe due to climate change," Mike Childs, FoE's head of science, policy and research, told Sky News. "To prevent the most dangerous scenarios becoming a reality, all countries, including the UK, must make greater efforts to prevent runaway climate breakdown."
Take a look at the full list of places:
30 areas in England most at risk from hotter weather
- Birmingham
- Newham
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Nottingham
- Southwark
- Leicester
- Enfield
- Ealing
- Haringey
- Waltham Forest
- Lambeth
- Brent
- Coventry
- Bristol
- Peterborough
- Croydon
- Barking and Dagenham
- Lewisham
- Islington
- Southampton
- Luton
- Greenwich
- West Northamptonshire
- Hounslow
- Wandsworth
- Westminster
- Slough
- Reading
- Camden
Mike concludes, saying: "People on the frontlines of the climate crisis in the UK and overseas are already being hit by its impacts, despite being the least responsible.
"We need governments to double-down on cutting emissions and providing funding for climate adaptation programmes, such as planting street trees."
11 stylish garden solar fence lights to illuminate your outdoor space
This four-pack of fence lights will create a gorgeous glow in your garden at a low price. As shown in the photo, the lights can be attached to a fence or wall to illuminate plants or garden features below. Their bright, white glow shows plant life in its true colours.
20 Warm White Solar & Mains Festoon Lights
These understatedly pretty string lights could provide a cosy backdrop for your garden parties and get-togethers. This set has 20 bulbs, providing enough illumination for intimate outdoor spaces.
This Dunelm wall light has a distinctly traditional aesthetic, with a flared shade that focuses its glow downwards. The light is dimmable, and features a highly sensitive motion sensor that can detect movement at distances of up to eight metres.
A matte black finish and clean, cylindrical design make this mounted solar light our top pick for contemporary homes. It's fitted with long-life, replaceable LED bulbs, and has an IP44 rating for weather resistance.
Habitat's net lights will add a sparkly backdrop to walls, fencing, or even draped across plant pots and bushes. Its dazzling array of 100 white bulbs turns on at dusk, or when you choose to press the on switch.
This solar-powered light shines at night, whenever its in-built motion sensor is triggered. It’s affordable and low-maintenance, compared to the average hard-wired security light.
If you need additional security or extra lighting in the garden, this four pack of multipurpose and waterproof solar fence lights could be a safe bet. The lights can switch on automatically at night, with three settings to choose from: strong, dim or motion-activated. Delivery times on this product seem to vary widely, so check the delivery window offered before you buy.
Dunelm 10 LED Warm White Colour Caged String Lights
These 10 warm white LEDs, encased in decorative colourful cages, will add a unique charm to your outdoor space. They're also weather-resistant and easy to clean.
200 Warm White LED Net Outdoor Solar Lights
Hang these net lights from a garden fence or wall to create a warm, all-over glow effect in your outdoor space.
Habitat Garden by Sainsburys 20 Bee LED Solar String Lights
Create some buzz in your garden with these 20 sweet solar bee lights. Festoon them along the fence, or over a pergola, for a fun addition to your garden.
Smart Garden Solar-powered 40 LED Outdoor String lights, Pack of 1
Ideal for evenings alfresco, these 40 solar-powered lights give off a soft warm glow. The cable stretches for 13.7m in total, which means they're perfect for stringing around fences trees, parasols or gazebos.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
