A woman stands with ice cream, during a heatwave in Brighton, Britain, July 19, 2022. (REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
As London grapples with a sweltering heat wave, the city’s charities and even its mayor are trying to help some of the poorest people in the capital stay cool.
The London mayor’s office has designed a digital map for Londoners to find shaded spots and indoor public areas, such as libraries and cathedrals, while some charities and homelessness groups are offering ice-cold water, showers, shade and ice creams to people living on the streets.
Lower-income families are more likely to live in homes that overheat, the think tank Resolution Foundation found, adding that around a quarter of England’s poorest households live in homes that are too hot, compared to only one-in-20 of the richest households.
The Museum of Homelessness, an advocacy group, has called for museums to open their doors to London’s most vulnerable people, as their thick walls and environmental controls help to keep the temperature steady. Some local libraries with air con are offering refuge.
The city is expected to hit a record-breaking 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit) this week, hotter than Madrid and Rome, causing a health hazard to people sleeping on the streets.
The heat wave also makes it difficult for people on tight budgets to cool down their homes, as energy bills soar.
Meanwhile, UK cinema chain Showcase said that Brits with red hair, who may be more sensitive to hot weather, can see any film for free in its theaters on Monday or Tuesday.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "We must future-proof our cities to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. We’re building a greener and more environmentally-friendly city, but the government must do more, and fast.”
