A meeting titled "Extreme Heat" scheduled for Wednesday in London was ironically canceled due to the extreme heat. Organizers of the event, part of London Climate Action Week, said the situation practically proved their warnings about climate change.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "London isn't just looking for it, it's baking." The country broke the June temperature record in some areas at 36.1 degrees Celsius.
Electrical appliance group AO World announced that air conditioner sales rose 420 percent compared to last year, while other suppliers reported their stocks depleted. Automotive group RAC reported that the rate of responses to calls about vehicles breaking down due to the extreme heat was 20 percent higher than normal.
However, negative effects on the economy are also being observed. Rajeev Shaunak, head of the consumer arm of business consultancy MHA, said, "Historically, a British heatwave would trigger spending in the food, drink and garden furniture categories. But in 2026, the spending pattern seems to depend on how high the mercury rises. If the extreme heat continues, it could have the opposite effect."
One ice cream seller said fewer people dared to leave their homes or offices during the heatwave, while a chef said he took extra care to prevent food from spoiling.
Homes in England are traditionally designed to keep heat inside in winter. Professor Rory Jones from the University of Reading said, "While some households can invest in cooling systems, the elderly, low-income families, single-parent families and renters face the biggest barriers to accessing protection from extreme heat."
A total of 2,600 railway services were canceled or delayed on Wednesday alone. Direct sunlight heated the rails, increasing the risk of derailment, and many passengers could not reach their offices. In addition, more than 1,000 schools and nurseries were closed.
During the famous heatwave of 1976, there were 15 days when the temperature exceeded 32 degrees. That temperature is no longer so unusual in England. According to government data, the 2022 heatwave caused 3,000 heat-related deaths; most of those who died were individuals over 65. The figures this time are not expected to be better.
Greenpeace argued that the "extreme heat plan" needs to go beyond advice to drink more water and find funds to make schools, hospitals and homes heat-resistant. Angharad Hopkinson, political campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said, "Our next prime minister needs to act on the evidence outside their window and the advice of their scientific advisors and stay firm on climate policies."
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said in a post on X, "Fossil fuel giants and their billionaire backers are boiling England. We need action to reduce emissions - but we also need urgent safety measures." The Greens, who have historically opposed air conditioning due to its environmental impact, say the situation is so serious that it has become vital in some contexts.
A red weather warning for London that came into effect Wednesday - only the second time a warning at this level has been issued - was extended until Friday night. The Met Office's life-threatening alert continues.
According to the Climate Change Committee, 9 out of 10 properties in England are not designed to withstand the heat of future summers; by 2050, summer peaks of 40 degrees are expected to become the norm. As for transport, the London Underground has not introduced any new air-conditioned trains since 2017, and crowded trains during rush hour can create misery.
While global average temperatures have risen by 1 degree in the last 50 years, the rise in southern England has been between 3 and 4 degrees. The country's capacity to cope with this situation appears strained at best.
