Human-driven climate change lies at the heart of this deeply upsetting moment
Reading Climate Change Partnership* would like to acknowledge the unprecedented wildfires in the UK and abroad. Many communities are facing total upheaval, loss and devastation. Families are being displaced, livelihoods destroyed, and precious natural environments lost to fires made more likely and more intense by a changing climate.
Human-driven climate change lies at the heart of this deeply upsetting moment. While we cannot prevent every extreme weather event, we can learn from what is happening now and take action together to reduce risks, strengthen our resilience, and protect the places and people we cherish.
Global heating – caused primarily by human choices that shape our use of fossil fuels, land and water – is loading the dice towards more extreme heat, increased risk of flooding, drought and more dangerous wildfire conditions, and every additional fraction of a degree of warming increases the risks we face.
Unfortunately, these risks have not been clearly communicated in our national media.
For example, the UK’s Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit analysed nearly 2,500 stories about the June 2026 heatwave across nine major UK national outlets. It found that 72% of the stories made no reference at all to climate change. Fewer than one in 20 mentioned net zero.
Reading Climate Change Partnership is committed to bringing local people together to confront the realities of climate change openly and honestly. We are pleased to offer a framework of action plans and working groups to help residents, community groups, businesses, charities and local authorities address the causes and effects and climate change together.
Let these events be a reminder that climate change is not a distant challenge. It is here, and it demands a collective response. By coming together, supporting one another and taking practical action, we can help build a safer, stronger and more resilient Reading.
Actions we can take today to prepare for drought and flooding, help prevent fires, reduce our collective contribution to the causes of global heating and drive a proportionate response:
| Use less water | Help prevent fires | Prepare for heavy rain & flooding | Climate-friendly behaviours for communities |
| Take shorter showers and turn off taps while brushing teeth | Never discard cigarettes, matches or BBQ coals on dry grass or vegetation | Keep drains, gutters and water channels around your property clear of leaves and debris | Use less energy, e.g. prevent heat loss from homes and buildings in winter, and prevent unwanted heat gain in summer |
| Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets as soon as possible | Avoid disposable barbecues in parks, open spaces and countryside areas during hot, dry weather | Use water butts and rain gardens to slow the flow of rainwater into drains | Source your heat, cooling and power from renewable energy if possible or support local initiatives like Reading Community Energy Society and DraughtBusters |
| Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full | Dispose of glass bottles safely, as they can focus sunlight and ignite dry vegetation | Consider permeable paving, gravel or planted areas instead of hard surfaces where possible | Replace some car journeys with active travel or public transport, if possible |
| Collect rainwater for gardens and outdoor plants | Report fires or signs of smoke immediately | Know whether your area is at risk of surface water flooding and have a plan in place | Reduce beef and dairy in your diet and avoid food waste |
| Water gardens early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation | Create a buffer around homes by clearing dry leaves, dead plants and combustible materials | Prepare an emergency kit with essential medication, phone chargers and important documents | Support the National Emergency Briefing’s People’s Emergency Briefing documentary film campaign to help inspire a mass response to climate change across the UK, and a proportionate response from Government
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| Choose drought-tolerant plants and reduce unnecessary lawn watering | Follow local advice during heatwaves and periods of high fire risk | Check on vulnerable neighbours during severe weather events | Support local initiatives and working groups that are helping to prepare Reading for the effects of climate change and reducing our town’s contribution to its causes |
| Be mindful of water use during prolonged dry periods | Teach children about fire safety in parks, woodlands and open spaces | Avoid driving through floodwater and follow official warnings when issued | Look into local circular economy initiatives including Reading Repair Café, Reading Library of Things, Reading Bike Hub and Connect Reading’s Resource X-Change |
Together we can:
- Reduce pressure on our water resources
- Lower the risk of accidental fires in our communities and green spaces
- Build resilience to more intense rainfall and flooding events
- Protect our neighbours, our environment and the places we love
- Increase our community’s positive collective impacts and grow demand for local climate solutions.
Small actions taken by many people can make a big difference. By preparing today, Reading can be safer, stronger and more resilient tomorrow.
Find out more about the Reading Climate Action Plan for 2025 – 2030 and related working groups at www.readingcan.org.uk/ourplan25-30
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Reading Climate Change Partnership (RCCP) convenes Reading’s 5-year climate emergency strategies, action plans and working groups, runs the annual Reading Climate Festival and hosts the ReadingCAN website, newsletter and social media channels. Find out more at www.readingcan.org.uk
