The Guardian view on public attitudes to the climate crisis: burning for change | Editorial

The vast majority know that global heating is dangerous. This summer's crisis should be a tipping pointWill the heatwave change anything? As predicted, British temperature records were shattered on Tuesday with 40.3C recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. While Wednesday is expected to be cooler, the European crisis continues, with wildfires raging in France, Spain and Portugal. What immediate impact these extremes have on individuals depends on factors including geography, age, health, sex and socioeconomic status. Wealthier people in the UK, as all over the world, are better protected, while poorer people (who are more likely to be black or minority ethnic) are more exposed both at work and home.This is far from the first disruption to British weather attributed to global heating. This time last year saw flash floods. But sometimes the "heating" part of the climate emergency has felt as though it belonged elsewhere. Predictions for the UK have included more rain rather than sun. So this week's burning heat has shocked scientists as well as the public. Will this alter how we think and behave? Continue reading...