Building Year-Round Climate Resilience
Over the past few months, the UK has experienced several periods of extreme heat, bringing with them a range of secondary impacts including an increased risk of wildfires, promoting an Emergency Alert across England and Wales on 14 August. As temperatures fall, it is important to continue preparing for both future heatwaves and the risks associated with winter weather. Learning from this summer’s extreme conditions can help strengthen resilience and keep communities prepared year-round.
How are we preparing for the challenges that are coming and supporting those we know will be hardest hit and staying ahead of the forecast? Our next Partnership in Practice event on Tuesday 17 November, 10:00-11:00, will focus on building climate-ready communities together, whatever the weather. The session will explore what organisations can be doing now, to maintain the momentum on lessons from a summer of heat, and ready for the incoming winter. Focused on peer learning and sharing examples of what is working in practice, come and learn from each other. Register here.
Resources
Below is a selection of articles, guidance and practical resources exploring preparedness, resilience and adaptation in the face of a changing climate, helping organisations and communities understand emerging risks, take action and prepare for future challenges.
What does the latest long-range forecast tell us and what role could El Niño play this autumn? - Alongside increased interest in what is likely to be a record-breaking El Niño event in the tropical Pacific, the latest Met Office seasonal outlook suggests an increased likelihood of wetter than average conditions during autumn. While seasonal forecasting cannot predict exactly what the weather will do on any given day, current evidence suggests conditions later this autumn and into early winter may be more unsettled than is typical for the time of year.
Putting people at the centre of UK climate adaptation and resilience - This report from the Government Office for Science summarises scientific insights, concepts, methods and approaches that can be used to help adaptation and resilience policy be more effective, more equitable, and more grounded in the realities of everyday life.
UK Climate Information (UKCI) - The Met Office has introduced UKCI, a new climate service to help the UK plan for the challenges of climate change and support climate adaption decision-making across the country. UKCI will represent the next generation of UK climate projections, building on UK Climate Projections 2018 (UKCP18) and continuing a series that began in 1998.
From "I know" to "I can": What the Latest Heat Health Alert Research Tells Us About Preparedness - A blog from Tom Watkins, EP Policy & Insight Lead, exploring the recent study from United Nations University that found 41% of people who saw a Heat Health Alert took no action. Tom argues that the real challenge is not increasing awareness, it is moving people from “I know” to “I can”.
Homelessness in a changing climate: building a resilient response - Homeless Link explores how increasing extreme weather is creating new risks for people experiencing homelessness and highlights the need for a more proactive, long-term approach to climate resilience.
Firefighting aircraft aren’t enough - Britain needs to build a wildfire-resilience society that involved everyone - In this article, Aston University lecturer, Komal Raj Aryal, argues that tackling Britain’s growing wildfire risk requires more than firefighting resources. He highlights the need for prevention, community preparedness and local resilience partnerships, with young people playing a central role in building long-term wildfire resilience.
Climate crises anxiety support - The Inner Climate Response Alliance has pulled together a list of resources for young people, parents, educators and carers to help understand and navigate the emotions that can arise from the climate crisis.
National Emergency Briefing - A campaign led by experts and citizens calling for a prime-time televised emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis. With over 100,000 petition signatures triggering a Parliamentary debate, supporters are encouraged to sign and share the petition and help communities come together to learn, discuss and act.