A UK climate crisis conference has been cancelled due to a heatwave, as temperatures soar across the country.
The session on extreme heat at the London School of Economics was pulled as the building ‘does not have any cooling mechanisms in place’.
The event, set for the LSE Shaw Library, was scheduled as part of Climate Action Week, but the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance said: ‘We cannot risk the wellbeing of speakers or guests by subjecting everyone to very unpleasant indoor conditions in addition to hot journeys to the venue.’
This all comes after a rare red extreme heat warning came into force covering London, parts of the Midlands, and south-east Wales.
In an ominous warning, forecasters have said they expect the 50-year June temperature record of 35.6C to be beaten.
Britain’s highest temperature on record is 40.3C which was set in Coningsby in July 2022.Â
Met Office chief forecaster Matthew Lehnert said: ‘This is exceptional heat for June with temperature records expected to be broken this week.
‘Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting significant impacts from this heatwave, with health issues likely, even beyond those who are more vulnerable to the heat.
‘High humidity is an additional factor for this heatwave which will mean the heat will feel much more potent for many.’
Play Suspended at Wimbledon
Across the city the All England Club was forced to suspend Wimbledon qualifying after the automated line-calling system suffered a heat-related meltdown.
Players were taken off court after it was decided chair umpires could not make line calls in the absence of the electronic system.
Similarly, a water park in Hertfordshire has had to close its doors because it is too hot – the venue stuck a sign on its entrance today stating: ‘It is advised that people DO NOT leave their homes.
‘Due to the synthetic surface in the splash park, the ground may become extremely hot during periods of high temperatures and could cause burn to the skin.’
Europe Wide Heatwave
The heatwave is being driven by a powerful area of high pressure parked across western Europe – known as a heat dome – which has trapped superheated air across the continent and sent temperatures soaring above 40C in parts of France, Spain and Italy.
The extreme temperatures have seen Spain cancel outdoor World Cup TV in central Madrid screenings and alcohol bans in France at summer music festivals.
The Eiffel Tower and other Paris venues have also set up misting stations to cool crowds.
‘We are facing an episode that is particularly intense and unusually early,’ said Mathieu Lefevre, the French Minister for Ecological Transition, urging a ‘great deal of caution’.
President Emmanuel Macron on X urged French people to ‘look out for others’, especially the elderly, children and isolated or vulnerable people.
