London Climate Week: Tackling Higher Bills, Flood Risks, and Heatwaves – What Climate Change Means for Londoners and How We Can Fight It.

"Last year was the hottest on record. Climate change is causing chaos and disruption all over the world. London is not immune, as shown by the flash floods in 2021 and a 40C heatwave in 2022. It's time for the UK, led by its cities and regions, to take action and prioritise adaptation." - The London Climate Resilience Review (BBC News, January 2024)

The year is 1999, and Hayley Reid has just stepped off the train at King's Cross Station. Hayley had moved to London after graduating from university, excited for her first job. Twenty-five years ago, the Big Smoke buzzed with promise, much like it does today. Seduced immediately by the vibrant capital, Hayley felt confident that London was where she could make a difference in the world.

Life in London 25 years ago shared some similarities to the city today. It was a multicultural city alive with busy streets, bustling markets, and the chatter of diverse crowds. Patches of green from London's parks juxtaposed big red buses and hallmark black cabs.

Hayley lived in Islington, which was within walking distance of her office, and on the weekends, she made a habit of exploring London on foot at any chance she got. Back then, strolling through the city was pleasant, with warm, manageable summers where temperatures rarely exceeded 30°C. The average annual temperature was a comfortable 11°C, and the capital experienced roughly 100 days of rain, predictably spread throughout the year, keeping the parks and squares lush and green.

Fast-forward to today, and Hayley, now in her mid-forties, still lives and works in London. Though the city retains its pull on her heart, there's no mistaking just how much her home has changed.

Walking to work one scorching July morning, she notices how different the city feels today. The air swelters, and the pavements radiate an unbearable heat. The parks, once lush, now show signs of drought, their grass dried and brittle. The average annual temperature is more than 10 per cent warmer, and London now experiences about 10 per cent more rainfall each year. However, this rainfall is often in intense downpours, which have led to severe flooding like London's 2021 'flash flood', which saw more than 300 emergency calls made to the fire brigade in hours, several roads blocked, and eight underground stations forced to close.

At the same time, summers are now hotter than ever. Heatwaves are now the norm. Today, temperatures often soar above 30°C, like the record-breaking 40°C heatwave in 2022, which saw the London Fire Brigade called to wildfires across the capital. In one day, the brigade took 2,670 calls and responded to over 1,000 fire incidents.

These changes impact every aspect of Hayley's life. The cost of living has soared. Groceries and fresh produce are increasingly expensive as climate change affects crops. Energy bills have also increased as she relies more on air conditioning to stay cool during the long, hot summers.

These 'all or nothing' weather patterns aren't exclusive to London. The UK is vulnerable to extreme weather due to climate breakdown. These conditions significantly impact food shortages and rising prices. Last month, The Guardian reported a 60% rise in the cost of potatoes, and the BBC warned of disappointing strawberry crops this year. The UK's strawberry market produces over 115,000 metric tons a year, a critical supply that could be jeopardised by declining bee populations and drought – a fact that might resonate with Londoners with Wimbledon starting next week.

Hayley has also faced challenges in the housing market. Having worked hard over the last 25 years to buy a home in the city she loves. She finds many affordable options are in flood-prone areas, which isn't surprising when you consider you're six times more likely to find your home flooded than burgled' in the UK and worries about investing in a property that could be at risk, particularly when the Committee on Climate Change warns that "UK homes are not fit for the future".

One evening, while walking home from work, Hayley reflected on the changes she'd seen and how different London was 25 years ago. Realising climate change isn't a distant threat and that it's here, impacting her daily life. She felt compelled to make a difference but didn't know where to start or what to do.??

She starts making small changes: Hayley understands that she should fly less, eat less red meat, and try to cycle or walk to work, but is keen to explore other ways she can influence and create change in the world around her. She starts asking her friends, family, and colleagues about their positive choices for a better future. Through her conversations, Hayley learns that how she votes, where she works and where she invests her money are not only opportunities for her to make even more positive changes, but they have significant power:

1. Who you vote for: Hayley's brother Daniel has always been engaged in politics, reminding Hayley that politicians have the power to create long-term change. With the elections around the corner, he suggested that Hayley check out this helpful link, detailing each candidate's views on climate change and the UK's net zero targets (https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/climate-election-2024/). Daniel advises that Hayley use her vote for a politician who understands the issues around the climate crisis and wants to take advantage of the opportunities to make long-term sustainable changes that improve the prosperity of society, socially, economically and environmentally, not just in London but the UK and the planet.
2. Who you work for: Hayley's good friend Adam inspired her to consider that where you work matters because that also impacts climate change. Adam had been working for a well-known oil company for several years, and though the job came with perks, he decided to quit his role and join a climate startup. Adam reassured Hayley that you don't need to go to that extreme to be part of the solution but that it's worth ensuring that your workplace is committed to long-term resilience, has strong sustainability principles, has credible net zero targets aligned with the UK's and wants to be part of the change.
3. Where you invest your money: One of Hayley's university friends, Alexandra, who moved to London at a similar time to work in finance, has always been a helpful friend when it comes to guiding Hayley through financial decisions like her pension. Alex has consistently advocated for investing in your future. Still, more recently, she has been talking about using your pension as a force for good for the planet's future, too. Alex struck a chord with Hayley when she reminded her that 'there's no point in having a pension if the world is not worth living in,' and further inspired her with the knowledge that investing your pension responsibly is 27 times more impactful than flying less, eating less red meat and cycling more. Alex suggested that Hayley find out whether her pension contributions are responsibly invested. If not, she writes to the company's HR department to find out and ensure they are.

Hayley's story poignantly reminds us that climate change affects us all, and we all have the power to take action. Through talking to her friends and family, she has learned that there are many ways we can all significantly impact shaping a better tomorrow, and the time to act is now.

As we approach London Climate Action Week , consider your own actions. What small changes can you make in your daily life? How can you influence positive change through your vote, workplace, or investments?

Let's take inspiration from Hayley and start conversations with those around us. What will you do for London Climate Action Week to contribute to a sustainable future? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments. Together, we can create a resilient and vibrant London. ????