HEARTH researchers shape milestone Well-Adapted UK Report as heat threats escalate

The newly released A Well-Adapted UK report has issued a stark warning that heat resilience cannot continue to be treated as an afterthought. With heat identified as a serious and growing threat to the UK, the HEARTH team lies at the absolute forefront of this national agenda:

• Rising mortality projections: Heat-related deaths could rise to more than 10,000 in an average year.

• Health and productivity impacts: Overheating leads to an increased risk of death and illness, alongside reduced productivity.

• Prolonged heatwaves: Heatwaves lasting at least a week will become common, creating major challenges for keeping vulnerable people sufficiently cool.

• Manageable solutions: Solutions are available and the costs are manageable, with returns measured in lives protected, stronger communities, and billions saved.

• Expert authorship and review: HEARTH team, including Professors Anna Mavrogianni, Mike Davies, Rajat Gupta, Sari Kovats, Shakoor Hajat, Dr Clare Heaviside and Dr Andrew Ibbetson were involved in the report's development, serving as co-authors, reviewers, committee members, and contributors.

• Evidence-based impact: The core scientific foundation of the report relies heavily on the team's ongoing research, with several publications by HEARTH researchers formally cited to shape upcoming CCRA4 adaptation priorities.