Guess Who's Affected Most By Heatwaves..?

Go on, guess!

Bet you got it right!

Researchers at the University of Manchester and Friends of the Earth found one in three people from minority ethnic groups lived in areas most exposed to extreme heat, compared with just one in 12 white people.

Since they mostly hail from countries much hotter, why is this an issue? 

Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: “Extreme heatwaves will be more frequent and severe as the planet warms. While the UK and Europe are suffering with 40C heat, parts of India and Pakistan faced temperatures of around 50C earlier this year.

“Our research … shows that the poorest people and people of colour are disproportionately impacted by extreme weather in England. This is true across the UK and internationally. The communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis also have the lowest carbon footprints – they have contributed the least but are being hardest hit by rising global temperatures.”

*rolls eyes* It is, of course, just the beginning of a pitch:

Awareness of the disproportionate impact of climate change must feed into policy, Childs said.

“Environmental justice must be at the centre of governments’ climate strategies,” he said.

Backed up with alarmist rhetoric, as they all are these days: 

“Unless carbon emissions are cut drastically, we will face even more health-threatening heatwaves in the UK and large parts of the planet could become unliveable.

“Action is urgently needed to adapt frontline neighbourhoods to cope with extreme weather, with more green spaces and trees for shelter, home insulation to keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer, and air-conditioned community centres for people to get some respite from the heat.”

Anything else? A pony for every Tom, Dick and Harpinder, while you're at it?