Think heatwaves could never come to Bristol? Well, think again

HEAT records are being broken every summer. We are seeing incredible temperatures in north west America – unprecedented.

The world really is hotting up and even rich countries are now suffering.

Science has shown that every heatwave is now made more intense by human-induced global warming. Think this could never come to Bristol? Think again.

It might, so we should prepare for it and become a climate-resilient city.

Heatwaves around the world are having a devastating impact on crops and livelihoods. We cannot ignore this any more. Governments need to act and we as a city need to act to set an example and sharply reduce the pollution we create, which lies behind human-induced global heating.

Climate change has led to an increase in heavy rainfall in many parts of the world.

Global elites have ignored or actively denied human-caused climate change. And the problem has worsened. Devastating heat events prove the science of global warming to be correct. Heatwaves kill – that’s a fact.

Bristol can set an example in the UK and around the world. We already have a high proportion of people who walk to work or study, and increasing numbers are either cycling or using the madly popular e-scooters. We also have eco buses.

We don’t need polluting private cars. Increasing numbers are ditching the car and not getting one when it comes round for replacement. Bristol’s 20mph limits are helping more people to walk and cycle by making the city safer for people getting around this way.

We also have an eco homes development in the north of the city at Hanham, and are seeing more eco-homes going up around the city.

Homes and transport are big pollution emitters so this is a good start.

Leaders of all parties and organisations need to show resilience and true leadership to accept our civic climate responsibilities, and act.

Bristol can be a UK leader on this, and there are jobs in green industries. We can be a digital green leader.

Mark Taylor

Bristol