A mother in Essex has reported her son suffered two seizures during the UK’s latest heatwave, as parents nationwide urge incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to address the climate crisis’s impact on children’s health. Becky Ward, 42, a co-founder of the Mothers Rise Up movement, stated her 8-year-old son, who has epilepsy and cerebral palsy, struggled to regulate his body temperature in extreme heat.
Heatwave strains families and infrastructure
The UK is enduring its third heatwave of 2024, with temperatures exceeding 30°C for 12 consecutive days in some areas following the warmest June on record. Public infrastructure has buckled under the strain, prompting rare red weather warnings. Ward, a full-time carer, spent £325 on a portable air conditioning unit for her son’s room, but it failed to cool the space adequately.
Her petition, signed by thousands—including singer Paloma Faith—demands Burnham meet with concerned parents and implement climate adaptation measures. The campaign calls for upgrades to homes, schools, and public infrastructure, aligned with the Climate Change Committee’s recommendations, as well as increased investment in renewable energy and a halt to new North Sea oil and gas drilling.
Parents share fears over climate impacts
Mothers Rise Up has grown to over 500 members after recent heatwaves, with plans to deliver personalised letters to 10 Downing Street by the end of August. Testimonies highlight the emotional toll: one Manchester mother described her 10-month-old daughter’s room reaching 31°C, while another admitted to hiding her fear for her children’s future.
Climate experts, including UCL’s Professor Mark Pelling, stress the need for local and national cooperation to adapt to rising temperatures. Pelling noted that grassroots efforts like Mothers Rise Up could align with Burnham’s localisation agenda, addressing housing justice and community resilience.
Government and activists respond
Greenpeace UK’s Mel Evans warned that without action, children face decades of worsening heat, drought, and floods. A government spokesperson stated existing measures include clean energy investments, heat-minimising building designs, and local climate adaptation support. The spokesperson advised the public to follow UKHSA alerts during extreme heat. The Independent has contacted Andy Burnham for comment.
