The public wants the government to take stronger action on climate change following this summer’s heatwaves, wildfires and record temperatures, a new poll has revealed.

The More in Common polling, commissioned by investigative climate NGO Global Witness, revealed high levels of concern about the impact of the extreme heat on public services, including schools and the NHS. 

Three quarters (75%) of those surveyed were concerned about how extreme heat impacts the NHS’ ability to treat patients, while 63% were worried about its impact on schools’ ability to teach pupils. 

In addition, 75% of people supported the installation of solar-powered air conditioning in schools and hospitals.

An overwhelming majority (69%) of people backed a new legal maximum indoor working temperature of 30°c. 

Global Witness says NHS doctors have told the NGO that hospital temperatures became so high during this summer’s heatwaves that MRI scanners and CT machines cut out, with waiting times and patient flow affected. 

Teachers told Global Witness that staff and students fell sick during the extreme heat this summer and reported a lack of clear guidance on school closures or maximum working temperatures.

Global Witness provided some schools with thermometers to measure their classroom temperatures during the heatwave in mid-June.

Several teachers reported temperatures between 30 and 38 degrees – well above the recommended maximum classroom temperature of 26°C set by the National Education Union.

To mitigate the impact of climate change, Global Witness is calling on Andy Burnham to fairly tax the oil and gas industry, which has raked in big windfalls from the Iran war this year, after making bumper profits following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Global Witness senior campaigner, Flossie Boyd, said: “It’s scandalous that as people’s lives were put at risk this summer, the oil giants turbo-charging extreme heat were raking in sky-high profits, pushing for more dirty drilling and lower taxes.

“The climate crisis is here, and bold action is needed to keep people safe. If Burnham wants to stand up for families and working people, he should stand up to oil giants, tax them fairly and use the proceeds to fund the climate preparedness Britain desperately needs – like solar-powered AC to protect the most vulnerable.”

Image credit: Neil Thomas

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

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