Tens of thousands of people living in the county are at risk of the worst effects of soaring temperatures as climate change threatens people's health, new figures suggest.

As the Met Office says the first predicted 40°C temperatures in the UK are a sign that the impact of climate change is here, Friends of the Earth say extreme heatwaves will become much more frequent as the climate crisis worsens.

Analysis by the campaign group shows that more than six million people across England will be vulnerable to extreme temperatures caused by global warming.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue called to crash

An ‘at risk’ neighbourhood is an area that will experience extreme heat for more than five days every summer and has a vulnerable population, based on research from the University of Manchester – which looks at a variety of social and personal factors such as age, deprivation, housing characteristics and access to health services.

Hot weather places particular strain on the heart and lungs, and the Met Office warned that older people, young children and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially at risk.

Communities most vulnerable are generally those with an older population, a higher number of young children, without green spaces to shelter, and those with housing most susceptible to overheating, such as high rise buildings and mobile homes.

How many people are at risk in Oxfordshire?

Cherwell – 5,888

Oxford – 14,326

West Oxfordshire – 3,668

South Oxfordshire - No South Oxfordshire neighbourhoods are ‘at risk’

Vale of White Horse – 3,890

Total – 27,772

Extreme heat is defined as being above 27.5°C with global warming of 1.5C, or above 30C with global warming of 3C.

Head of research, Mike Childs, said: "To prevent the most dangerous scenarios becoming a reality, all countries, including the UK, must make greater efforts to prevent runaway climate breakdown.

"Suggestions by some politicians that the UK should dial back on climate goals are short-sighted and reckless.

"People on the frontlines of the climate crisis in the UK and overseas are already being hit by its impacts, despite being the least responsible.

"We need governments to double-down on cutting emissions and providing funding for climate adaptation programmes."

A Government spokesperson said: "Thanks to government action, we have already driven down emissions by over 45% – the fastest reduction of any G7 country.

"Local areas have an integral part to play in tackling climate change, which is why significant funding is already available to councils for them to take local action, including £1.2 billion in dedicated funds for 2020-21."

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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