| Hello and welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Brent Environmental Network newsletter.
Having already experienced our third heatwave of this summer, itās clear that the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat – itās happening here and now. These hot weather events are not merely isolated incidents, but part of a broader pattern of extreme weather driven by climate change, bringing real risks to our health and wellbeing. It is now more important than ever that we take action. This month, we are looking at why heatwaves are getting worse, ways to keep cool when they happen, and how we can all help Brent adapt to a changing climate.
Why Are Heatwaves Getting Worse?
Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, longer lasting, and intense. As global temperatures increase, summers in the UK are expected to get hotter and drier, with record-breaking temperatures now a regular occurrence. Just yesterday, the Met Office reported that extreme weather is now the new norm for the UK. The last three years have been in the UKās top five warmest on record, and this year, we have already experienced the warmest spring ever recorded. During the summer of 2022, temperatures reached 40Ā°C for the first time in the UK, and approximately 2,985 excess deaths were observed in England and Wales due to extreme heat.
Cities like London, and some areas of Brent, are especially exposed to hot weather due to the urban heat island effect. Roads, pavements and buildings absorb and retain heat, making cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. In contrast, areas with more trees, green spaces, and natural shade tend to stay cooler and more comfortable during hot weather.
Keeping Cool and Staying Well
Although the worst of the heat has passed for now, more hot spells could be on the way. Here are some simple ways to stay cool and protect your health when they do happen:
- Keep curtains and blinds closed on windows that get direct sun during the day, and only open windows when the air outside is cooler than inside. This is usually early in the morning or later in the evening. Try opening windows on opposite sides of your home to create a breeze.
- Use light-coloured or reflective window coverings.
- Place a bowl of ice or a frozen water bottle in front of a fan to help cool the air.
- Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and try not to use the oven during the day.
- Add plants to balconies, windowsills or front gardens. Even small patches of greenery can help cool the air around your home.
- If you live on a ground floor or have access to outdoor space, adding external shading is one of the most effective ways to keep your home cool. This could include makeshift awnings, shade sails, or external blinds that block sunlight before it reaches your windows.
If you are looking to go further, there are also longer-term options that can help keep homes and neighbourhoods cooler. These include green roofs, planting more trees, using reflective building materials, installing external shutters, or improving insulation. These changes take more time or investment but can make a big difference over the years.
Get Involved: Help Brent Adapt to Extreme Heat
We are exploring ways to make Brent more resilient to extreme heat, and we would love your input.
If you are an organisation that has a shaded or ventilated space that could be opened to the public during heatwaves, why not consider submitting it to the GLA Cool Spaces Map.
If you are interested in sharing your experience of the recent heatwaves or helping Brent adapt to hotter summers, please get in touch by contacting climateemergency@brent.gov.uk. |
