The chronicles of climate change: record temperatures reached in summer 2022

Temperature data from summer has revealed 2022 to be the hottest summer on record. With the record being reached just 3 years after the last was broken.

Temperatures climbed above 40C in July for the first time in the UK, with Lincolnshire reaching 40.3C. Whilst one West Yorkshire village, Bramham, broke their previous record by 6.3C.

More than half of the UK’s oldest weather stations, with at least 50 years of data, recorded their hottest day on record in 2022. Only 1 in 5 of these longest-standing weather stations had a temperature record that was set before 2000, this means 80% of record breaking highs have been in the last 22 years. And 4 in 5 of the warmest summers have occurred since 2003.

But it gets worse…

The UK’s temperature record is being broken more frequently. In 1911, the record was 36.7C and was held for 79 years. Whereas, the 2022 heatwave broke a record that only lasted 3 years. A very big and worrying difference in frequency!

This summer saw dry conditions badly hit crops, fuelled wildfires and increased demand for water so much that we saw hosepipe bans. And with the UK only having 62% of its usual summer rainfall, the Environment Agency reported all of the South-West of England to be in drought.

It is certain these feverish temperatures and water shortages were down to climate change.

The affects of climate change are frightening. The polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate of more than 12% per decade. A 2019 report revealed that one million plants and animals are threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat loss linked to climate change.

If we don’t do more for the environment and get to net-zero soon, we could get temperatures exceeding 40C as often as every 3 years by the end of the century.

According to Professor Stephen Belcher, The Met Office Chief scientist, “In a climate unaffected by human influence, climate modelling shows it is virtually impossible for temperatures in the UK to reach 40C”.

We can all do our bit for the environment to alleviate the effects of climate change, including:

• Eating more plant-based foods
• Using public transport, walking or cycling to places, where possible
• Reduce food waste by buying only what you need
• Switch-off electrical items if they are not in use, including computers and light switches
• Getting a re-usable water bottle to reduce the amount of plastic bottles
• Buying second hand and/or more ethically sourced clothing
• Encouraging companies to reduce packaging and making it more environmentally friendly

Being more environmentally friendly is crucial to reduce soaring temperatures and to protect our planet from biodiversity loss. If everyone does their bit and countries work together, we can ensure that 40C summers become a thing of the past and not something to dread in the future.