Green Party leader Zack Polanski has accused the government of a "dereliction of duty" in its response to this summer's heatwaves, urging greater urgency in addressing the escalating threats posed by extreme weather. Polanski stated that the threat to public health and food supplies represents the "biggest threat to this country since the Second World War."
Record temperatures and widespread drought conditions this summer have strained water supplies and led to concerns from farmers about the impact on food production. Polanski highlighted the need for immediate measures, such as establishing publicly accessible "cool spaces" and providing financial support for households to improve heatproofing. He also called for an updated strategy to combat wildfires, arguing that higher temperatures are a "new normal" and pose a "threat to our way of life."
Footage of wildfires across Europe, described as "frankly apocalyptic," underscored the severity of the situation, according to Polanski. He criticized the government for not holding an emergency Cobra meeting on the issue, asserting that the current response is to "pretend none of this is happening."
Polanski's remarks come as the UK and other parts of Europe have experienced exceptionally dry and hot weather patterns, leading to various climate-related challenges.