THE recent heatwave with high temperatures punctuated by tropical thunderstorms appears to be increasingly the new normal.

These changes in our climate are due to global warming, which we and our governments are not doing enough to tackle. However, recent reports suggest that many of the contributory factors to global warming can act in reinforcing feedback loops resulting in a domino effect moving the planet into a hot-house state.

Nothing is inevitable. We need to get our skates on. Central government has to crack on with its programmes to reduce our carbon footprint.

Key to all this is energy consumption, and the need to move to renewables. Transport needs to move away from diesel and petrol to electrical or fuel cells, both on vehicles and trains. Consideration should also be given to removing carbon from the environment using carbon capture technologies.

At the local level, there is much that can be done. Our houses need to be constructed to deal with a wider range of weather extremes. Currently, they built to cope with a relatively narrow temperature range. As a result, they cost a lot to cool in the hot summer or heat in the cold winter.

There are specific standards such as the Codes for Sustainable Homes which includes the Lifetime Homes Standards which provides guidelines for developers to build suitable homes, but these are often ignored or met at a minimalist level. I attended a briefing that suggested only 10 per cent of social housing in Test Valley was built to the Lifetime Home Standards.

This is just not good enough and should be addressed in Test Valley’s ongoing review of its Local Plan which deals with development and housing.

Furthermore, many councils now insist any planning applications for housing and commercial development will have to work with planning officers to include a renewable energy scheme. Such schemes not only save money but also cut down on carbon emissions.

If we are to shift to electric cars, we need to provide more public or commercial electric charging points. Currently there only appears to be two in Andover. Both the county and Test Valley councils are moving over to electric vehicles, which is to be welcomed, but little has been done for the public at large. We lag behind other towns and cities.

Finally, the introduction of public water fountains by the council would be a good idea.

The provision of drinking water to the public during heat waves is a public health issue, and it also reduces single-use plastic water bottles.

Water fountains would also be good for the environment.

This is no longer about leaving a planet fit for our children and grandchildren. It is about providing an environment fit for us now.

Luigi Gregori, Charlton Road, Andover.