As the UK moves into it’s fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures yet again set to peak at 35°C this week, the Isle of Wight Green Party can present the results of a survey of Islanders, carried out throughout the month of July.
Sleep and hydration hit hardest
Questions addressed the extent to which the excessive temperatures affect our everyday life, with over 85 per cent of Islanders agreeing that they were impacted by the June heatwave, with the most common impacts being hydration and difficulty in sleeping.
Pets and pockets
The survey also looks at how our pets struggled to cope with the heat, including some sad news, and the economic impact on households and businesses across the Island with over 62 per cent of respondents stating that the heatwave had cost them money.
Finally, we share the Top Tips from experienced residents on how to stay cool and stay safe in the excessive heat.
Lowthion: Sobering reading
Vix Lowthion, Green Party IW Councillor for Carisbrooke and Gunville, said,
“The results of our Green Party Heatwave survey make sobering reading. Here we can listen and hear the desperate and anxious voices of ordinary Islanders, who need greater support to cope with these alarming heatwave conditions.
“Whilst on the television news we see clips which associate the warm weather with happy children, beaches and ice creams, in reality many families clearly were forced to stay at home in order to keep cool and look after pets.
“We must take action to tackle the climate crisis now. The consequences are not hypothetical, they very real – for our health, our animals and our local economy.”
What the survey didn’t cover
You can read the full set of results below.
As the survey was begun before the tragic wildfires on the Island, it did not address the greater impact of the heatwave on our countryside and wildlife including BBQs, fireworks and lanterns.
News shared by Vix on behalf of Isle of Wight Green Party. Ed
