Tim Fox comments on heatwaves and rising temperatures

Dr Tim Fox, Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, comments on adapting to heatwaves and rising temperatures

“The heatwaves we’re experiencing are not outliers — they will become commonplace in the future. As UK summers become hotter, with longer periods of high temperature extremes, the impact will reach far beyond personal discomfort. Our everyday lives — from how we travel and work, to how we keep food fresh and medicines safe — will all be affected. Rising temperatures also impact the industrial processes that underpin our economy and the digital equipment that we rely on every day to run our world.

“Reliable and accessible cooling is quickly becoming one of the most vital tools we need to adapt to climate change. Making sure this cooling is sustainable and within everyone’s reach is essential to protecting public health, ensuring economic stability, and maintaining the quality of life we often take for granted. Sustainable cooling is central to the work engineers are doing to help society adapt to climate change.”

Tim Fox is coauthor of IMechE’s report on adaptation to climate change