Rehashing the buzz: Wimbledon's ingenious recycling scheme for its 55,000 discarded tennis balls
In the heart of summer, the UK is grappling with the consequences of rising temperatures, from empty offices and overheating tube tracks in London, to concerns about overdevelopment along the coastline. As the heatwave continues, the country is actively adapting to the challenges posed by increasing temperatures through a coordinated government strategy.
The third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), published in July 2023, outlines actions to address climate risks from 2023 to 2028. This includes investment in the natural environment, changes to the built environment, and adjustments in business practices to cope with more frequent and intense heatwaves and other climate hazards.
While potential benefits of a hotter climate include longer growing seasons for some crops and reduced winter energy demand, the drawbacks are significant. Health risks, flooding, and ecosystem impacts are among the challenges that the UK government is focusing on addressing through national strategies that cover infrastructure, agriculture, health, and the environment.
One crop that is thriving in the warmer weather is linseed, which colours UK pastures a striking blue. Linseed is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient also found in oily fish. As climate change challenges the growth of rapeseed, linseed is increasingly being used as an alternative.
However, many people complain about the heat, despite longing for it during colder months. The UK has already recorded highs of 40 ̊C, and the Met Office predicts we could reach 45 ̊C in the future. To combat the heat, old-fashioned fans, particularly portable ones, are popular for dealing with the heat.
Meanwhile, efforts are being made to balance the benefits and drawbacks of hot summers. For instance, the seaside economy is boosted during the summer months, and local councils have the power to make decisions that cater to these benefits while mitigating the drawbacks. Barnsgrove Club in Hampshire has opened its pro-grade padel courts to non-members for the summer, with the cost for non-members ranging from £12-£15 an hour based on availability, and £5 for members.
In other news, the Wildlife Trusts are upcycling the tens of thousands of tennis balls used in the Wimbledon championships into homes for harvest mice. Will Hosie, the Lifestyle Editor for a popular platform and a contributor to A Rabbit's Foot and Semaine, believes that this is a great initiative. He also edits the Substack @gauchemagazine and expressed his admiration for Stanley Tucci's role in The Devil Wears Prada, believing that he should have won an Oscar for his performance.
As the UK continues to adapt to the changing climate, it's clear that resilience and adaptive capacity are key to navigating the challenges ahead. The government's strategies, combined with local initiatives and individual actions, will play a crucial role in ensuring the UK can thrive in a warmer climate.
- In response to the increasing temperatures, the UK government is focusing on addressing various challenges through national strategies that cover infrastructure, agriculture, health, and the environment, all aimed at ensuring the country can thrive in a warmer climate.
- As the heatwave continues, old-fashioned fans, particularly portable ones, have become popular for dealing with the heat, offering a traditional solution to the concerns of rising temperatures.
- Meanwhile, efforts are being made to balance the benefits and drawbacks of hot summers, such as the seaside economy being boosted during these months, with local councils making decisions that cater to these benefits while mitigating the drawbacks, even extending opportunities like the use of pro-grade padel courts at places like Barnsgrove Club in Hampshire.
