Here’s the scientific reasons British people can’t cope with heatwaves

Britain is sweltering in one of the most intense heatwaves in memory, with temperatures set to break records today – dubbed ‘Furnace Friday’.

In Australia, many are giggling at British people’s inability to cope with the heat – but there’s a couple of reasons for that.

In hot climates, the body reshapes itself to cope, decreasing the metabolic rate to cut heat, and storing less fat (so there’s less insulation).

This means when you’re ‘taken by surprise’ by a heatwave, it can be more difficult to cope.

Britons also have far less access to air conditioning than is common in Australia – but that may change, according to a report to MPs by the Environmental Audit Committee.

The Committee said, ‘Air-conditioning is likely to become more widely used in the UK, which will reduce heat vulnerability.’

Australian climate expert Dr Elizabeth Hanna says that British people also simply don’t know how to cope with hot weather.

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Here’s the scientific reasons why British people can’t cope with the heatwave

Hanna says ,’They don’t know how to take care of themselves, they stay out in the sun for too long and forget to drink plenty of water.

‘People who are not at all used to warm weather, particularly when it’s getting a little humid as well, can overheat very quickly.’