Fresh Air for The Record Breaking Heat
Scientists warn that summer 2025 is set to be the warmest in the UK since records began in 1884.
Meanwhile, Europe has endured a season fraught with wildfires, extreme heat, and loss of life surpassing anything it has experienced before.
Hospitals have reported surges in admissions for heat exhaustion, cardiovascular strain, and respiratory challenges. The pressure on healthcare systems underscores the reality of this season’s stress.
It highlights the importance of resilience-building, both in terms of climate resilience and personal resilience, in the years to come.
I am naturally resistant to writing about climate news. I resent the ‘spin’ that many editors apply to make us feel either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ about the situation. For me, sprinkling in a few good news stories in an attempt to soften the crisis isn’t the solution.
Helping others acquire the tools to be more resilient is a different approach—and it forms the basis of Climate Calm™. A breath of fresh air, when we need it most.
By acknowledging and accepting the scale of the global crisis, while regulating our nervous systems, we can stop metaphorically fighting fires and see more clearly. This creates space to access the infinite potential for solutions, closer to home.
Research shows that:
Heat extremes are intensifying: Across Europe, extreme heat events in 2022 led to an estimated 61,000 excess deaths. Projections suggest this toll could rise significantly without stronger adaptation and mitigation (Lancet Planetary Health).
Personal resilience matters: Pausing to regulate the nervous system reduces cortisol and enhances clarity, helping individuals respond to stress without burnout (APA).
Practical grounding helps: Even brief practices such as breathwork, mindfulness, or embodied grounding improve emotional regulation and decision-making under pressure (NHS).
For an introduction to personal resilience and grounding practices and an explanation of why they work, check out this excellent NHS resource.
This month, I will share practices and inspiration for personal resilience, drawing on the Climate Calm™ method and beyond. Keep an eye on your inbox, Instagram, and LinkedIn to follow along.
