Gaps in public perceptions of extreme heat highlight UK’s lack of preparedness

Howarth, Candice ORCID: 0000-0003-2132-5747, Zamzow, Heidi, Mcloughlin, Niall and Shreedhar, Ganga ORCID: 0000-0003-2517-2485 (2024) Gaps in public perceptions of extreme heat highlight UK’s lack of preparedness. Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment Working Papers (416). Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.

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Abstract

Under a changing climate, heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, prolonged and extreme, posing substantial risks to populations around the world. Public perceptions of extreme heat are chronically under-researched, despite being important precursors to heat protective actions, policy acceptance and community heat resilience. In a nationally representative survey of UK residents, we find several dividing lines, gaps and contradictions in heat perceptions concerning national and individual-level preparedness, heat behaviours and communication. We find that whilst heat is viewed as life-threatening, the public believes the UK is not prepared; and whilst increasing risks to other people are acknowledged, few individuals see themselves at risk. Underlying vulnerabilities and geographies are further differences. Proactive, people-centred measures must bear in mind these perceptual gaps to minimise the impacts of extreme heat and to safeguard those most vulnerable in the UK and beyond.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Official URL:	https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/publicatio...
Additional Information:	© 2024 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Grantham Research Institute Psychological and Behavioural Science
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Date Deposited:	17 Mar 2025 13:24
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2025 13:24
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/127565

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