The Liberal Democrats in the UK are advocating for all new homes to include air conditioning to address rising temperatures linked to climate change. They argue that UK homes are not equipped for increased heat, and support passive cooling measures, such as planting more trees. The party also calls for public buildings, including schools and medical facilities, to be air-conditioned.
The Health Protection Agency has issued heat alerts due to expected high temperatures, particularly in the south-east and other regions, while rainfall is significantly below average, raising concerns about drought and bushfires. Despite a doubling in air conditioning installations over the past three years, only about 4 million out of 30 million homes have such systems.
A recent poll revealed that many residents purchased fans or air conditioners during the heatwave, with a notable percentage reporting health issues from the heat. Spokesperson Tim Farron emphasized the need for government action to prepare for extreme weather, while housing spokesman Gideon Amos highlighted the inadequacy of British homes, which are among the smallest in Europe. Overall, the increasing frequency of heatwaves contributes to a growing health crisis.
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