Heatwaves are showing why the UK must adapt to a climate that is already changing

by Sunita Soundur, Climate Action Coordinator at Zero Carbon Harrogate  

For many people, climate change can still feel like a distant or abstract issue. But the recent heatwaves are changing that conversation. Extreme heat is something people are experiencing directly – in their homes, workplaces, communities and daily routines. It affects health, transport, public services, nature and the way we use the places around us. 

The UK and North Yorkshire is now facing a simple reality: we must prepare for a climate that is changing faster than many of our buildings, infrastructure and systems were designed to cope with. As the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned, the UK is “built for a climate that no longer exists”. 

Bottom line: adaptation cannot wait. And it must go together with reducing emissions; which is just as important, and Climate Outreach has found that most people support this in their new report. Preparing for climate impacts is not an alternative to tackling the causes of climate change... both are essential: cutting emissions to reduce the temperature difference as best we can, while taking action now to protect people and communities from impacts that are already emerging, like reducing the loss of life.  

Around 4,500 excess deaths were estimated during the heat periods of summer 2022, which included the UK’s first recorded temperature above 40°C, by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) while for the 2023 summer heat period, the UKHSA estimated around 2,295 excess deaths associated with heat across England during the period monitored by the Heat-Health Alert system. More recently, across May and June 2026, the MET office estimates that 2,700 people are thought to have died from heat-related causes during the May and June heatwaves in England and Wales. 

The scale of the challenge is significant. The UK is being advised to plan for around 2°C of warming by 2050, while also considering the possibility of much higher warming later this century. Decisions made today on homes, infrastructure, nature and public services will shape how resilient communities are for decades to come. 

Research from the CCC’s citizens’ panel shows that people understand the importance of adaptation. The panel, designed to broadly reflect the UK population, highlighted the importance of nature-based solutions, public education, investment and ensuring adaptation is done properly. Participants also recognised that individuals have a role to play, but that people need clear information and support. Crucially, investment must reach those most vulnerable to climate impacts. 

However, one of the biggest challenges is communication. Climate Outreach research found that fewer than half of people in Britain (44%) feel clear about what “climate resilience” means. While many people support the idea, technical language can make adaptation feel distant. The solution is to explain it through everyday experiences: keeping homes cooler during heatwaves, protecting vulnerable neighbours, improving flood resilience and ensuring essential services can cope. 

The evidence shows that people want action. Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found that 81% of people believe the UK is not prepared for climate impacts, while 54% support tackling both adaptation and emissions reduction together. The challenge is not simply persuading people that climate change matters – it is turning concern into practical action. 

This is where local stories matter. Organisations such as Round Our Way show how climate change is already affecting people across the UK, from flooding and transport disruption to health, sport and local services. Heatwaves provide a particularly powerful moment for connection because people can immediately understand the impact. 

Recent analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit showed how extreme heat can affect everyday life, with heatwaves contributing to unprecedented falls in UK milk deliveries from farms. Climate impacts are not only about future projections; they are already influencing the systems we rely on. 

The response must be serious, but it should also be hopeful. Across the UK, communities, councils and organisations are already taking action to build resilience. By sharing experiences, recognising positive solutions and working with local decision-makers, we can turn concern into active preparation. 

Adaptation is not about accepting a worse future. It is about protecting the people, places and services we value – and ensuring the UK is ready for the climate we are moving towards.