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Environment
These are the stages of climate denial that led to the UK’s hottest day on record
By Natalie Gil
3 years ago
3 min read
Climate denial undoubtedly played a part in the unprecedented temperatures we’ve seen across the UK this week. But what failings are to blame, and how do we move forward? Stylist investigates.
This week was one for the history books. Lest we forget, the temperature hit 40.3°C on Tuesday in the UK, making it the hottest day on record, followed by the record-breaking and, quite literally, eye-opening night-time temperature of 25.8°C.
The cause of this unprecedented heat? Yep, the climate crisis, which is making heatwaves more intense, more frequent and more likely, according to scientists.
In a climate undisrupted by humans, it would be “virtually impossible” for UK temperatures to hit 40°C, said Met Office chief scientist Professor Stephen Belcher. But due to climate change, driven largely by greenhouse gases, we could start seeing temperatures above 40°C every three years if emissions remain high, he added.
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