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How will things change if our summers keep getting hotter

(16 Posts)
Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 14:16:42

Was just wondering. Our summers do, for the main part, seem to be getting hotter, so how will things change as we seek to cope with extreme temps and increasing discomfort.
Will our house hunting habits change? Will we no longer seek gardens that are a sun trap during the day and look for gardens that boast shade. Will house designs change with designers giving lots of glass/windows the swerve and going for darker/cooler interiors with AC as standard?
Will people plump for swimming pools in the garden rather landscaped gardens with flower beds and lawns?
Perhaps working patterns will also change with people taking longer lunch breaks in order to enjoy a siesta and working later in the day.
Of course all of this will only happen over decades rather than a few short years but I do think that climate change will also change the way we live.

Happygirl79 Mon 22-Jun-26 14:19:20

Im sure that instead of us Brits chasing the sun in Europe the Europeans will be coming here for a cooler climate to holiday!

Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 14:22:41

Happygirl79

Im sure that instead of us Brits chasing the sun in Europe the Europeans will be coming here for a cooler climate to holiday!

That’s a point. And with temps in the 40s in Europe I would not be tempted to holiday there this summer.

AGAA4 Mon 22-Jun-26 14:25:48

We will need to have air con in our homes, workplaces and schools. People would be unable to function properly in 40+ degrees.

Plevey08 Mon 22-Jun-26 14:39:54

Really good questions that will ned to be addressed Fallingstar. It will cost though and needs to be started soon. It surely must be factored into government mandates and policy. I'm also concerned that there is no upper limit of temperature which is deemed safe in schools & offices etc. There is in Europe. I feel sorry for the kids and teachers this week in poorly built schools.And it is left to the discretion of the Headteacher to close the school or change the hours. This would of course cause huge disruption for parents. My GC said yesterday that her classroom is the hottest in the school. I can't say that I'm looking forward to this week 🤣

AGAA4 Mon 22-Jun-26 14:52:20

An upper temperature limit will need to be made law at some point soon. Hours would need to be changed in schools with people working earlier in the morning and later in the day.

I noticed in Switzerland that there were water fountains around. I'm sure we used to have them but haven't seen any for years. It was hot when I was there and people were using them to splash themselves to cool down and drink from.
These hot spells will continue and get worse so things need to change.

Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 14:58:48

AGAA4

An upper temperature limit will need to be made law at some point soon. Hours would need to be changed in schools with people working earlier in the morning and later in the day.

I noticed in Switzerland that there were water fountains around. I'm sure we used to have them but haven't seen any for years. It was hot when I was there and people were using them to splash themselves to cool down and drink from.
These hot spells will continue and get worse so things need to change.

I agree that schools and places of work will need to adapt to the increasing temps. And dress codes for offices/retailers need to change, certainly men should not be wearing suits in extre extreme temp but allowed to wear smart/casual shorts and tees. The same goes for school uniforms. Shorts and tees with the school logo sewn onto them should be worn in hotter temps. A lot of it is common sense.
Also I think that water fountains and drinking fountains should be installed in busy public areas.

Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 15:00:21

Sorry, typos, my head feels like it is being boiled in a bag atm, temps here in London are now tipping over the 30 degree mark.

MollyNew Mon 22-Jun-26 15:04:51

I think we gardeners will have to change the types of plants we grow. In our house we already look for drought tolerant plants. Sadly our garden isn't big enough for a palm tree!

MartavTaurus Mon 22-Jun-26 15:13:28

First of need to be looking at installing air conditioning in our schools and hospitals. It's unreasonable to expect people to work in stifling conditions. The trouble is that this doesn't come cheap.

merlotgran Mon 22-Jun-26 15:17:42

I’ve been gradually changing my garden from traditional cottage style planting to Mediterranean over the last few years.
The lawn has gone - replaced by gravel, potted olive trees, bay and citrus fruit trees have replaced Japanese acers and other shade and moisture loving plants perennial grasses are included more in the borders.
I’m avoiding adding anything new if it requires regular watering so no more hanging baskets.
I do make exception for tomatoes though as I can’t live without them.
I have blinds rather than curtains in the house. I don’t mind closing blinds on a hot day but find drawn curtains rather depressing.
I’m glad I no longer have to go to work.

MartavTaurus Mon 22-Jun-26 15:18:18

Meant to read,
First of all, we need ......

butterandjam Mon 22-Jun-26 15:19:36

South east UK is already short of water, and as that gets worse , it will be prioritised for hygeine, medical care, farm crops and livestock, and industry.

Rivers will probably be unfit to swim in. Forget swimming pools, spas, and a bath at home. Showers will be rationed ( like bathwater used to be); a short shower twice a week. Damp wash with a facecloth if you're lucky.

As irrigation reduces or fails, UK food production of basic harvests ( grain, potatoes) is going to be a big problem. We'll be increasingly dependent on imports.

You southerners had better keep your big suntrap windows because you'll need them to trap heat in summer when CH is too expensive. AC takes a lot of fuel, so don't count on that. Better install some shutters or exterior awnings for summer. Install an opening roof window so you can vent hot air via the loft in summer. Plant some shady trees.

Calendargirl Mon 22-Jun-26 15:22:03

Yes, the desire to go to warmer countries in our summer won’t be necessary.

Who wants to bake in Spain or Italy when you can just stay home?

Should be good for our tourist industry, carbon emissions….

Visgir1 Mon 22-Jun-26 15:51:30

My 5yr old grandson every Mondays Rain or shine, has most of his lessons outside. However, today he's just reported that they didn't go out as it was too hot.
Schools will also have to look at the School day, if this is going to be the normal, especially here in the Sunny South. It registered 45°in my garden this afternoon.
Children are encouraged to be outside as much as possible but not when the Temperature are over 30°.

Fallingstar Mon 22-Jun-26 15:52:26

Calendargirl

Yes, the desire to go to warmer countries in our summer won’t be necessary.

Who wants to bake in Spain or Italy when you can just stay home?

Should be good for our tourist industry, carbon emissions….

Am afraid our tourist industry isn’t cut out for thousands of Europeans coming here for their jollies. In countries like Spain and Portugal etc., there is huge investment in the tourist industry with many resorts and beach based facilities.
And for families here in the UK it can still be cheaper to holiday in Europe than in a hotel etc., in the UK where prices can be much higher and facilities nowhere near as good.