As the UK faces worsening heatwaves, air conditioning use rises, but its climate impact and ethical considerations are explored, alongside greener alternatives like fans and evaporative coolers.
UK homes are ill-equipped for rising temperatures, with past policy failures like the Green Homes Grant exacerbating the issue. London's mayor proposes a heat-ready plan, but its implementation faces significant public investment challenges amidst political quietness on the climate crisis.
A consortium led by Polish billionaire Michał Sołowow plans to build 14 small modular nuclear reactors across three UK sites, including Gloucestershire. The £35bn private capital project aims to power 8m homes and potentially datacentres, with GE Vernova and Hitachi providing design. The consortium seeks a government support contract and aims for electricity generation by 2034.
Three in five UK homes listed since January remain unsold, with high mortgage rates and prices deterring buyers. Sales are down 7% year-on-year, with first-time buyers most affected by rising costs, though lender competition is increasing.
Major UK retailers like Currys, B&Q, Amazon, and Lidl met with the energy minister to discuss selling "balcony solar panels." These plug-in devices aim to help renters and flat dwellers generate their own electricity, cut bills, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
An analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS) warns that millions of UK homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence due to hotter, drier summers. London and the east coast are particularly vulnerable, with projections suggesting up to 1.8 million properties could be affected by 2070.
UK climate advisers recommend installing air conditioning in homes, hospitals, and schools to combat predicted global heating levels, warning that current measures are insufficient and heatwaves could cause thousands of deaths annually.
