A mother from Bristol, whose four-year-old daughter suffered from heat exhaustion during this summer’s extreme weather, is calling on the UK government to focus on protecting future generations by halting new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Joanna Groves said her daughter, Ivy, developed a high fever of 38.7°C after a day at nursery during a heatwave in June, just days before temperatures in parts of the UK reached 38°C. Ivy became lethargic and refused to drink water, and the nursery was forced to close temporarily due to the extreme conditions. Campaigners, including Groves, have delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street signed by over 28,000 people. The letter urges the government to adapt homes, schools, and public infrastructure to better handle extreme weather, as recommended by the Climate Change Committee. It also calls for increased investment in affordable and renewable energy and for the government to oppose new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. This comes as reports suggest the government may soon approve the Jackdaw gas field off the coast of Aberdeen, despite concerns that it could produce 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its lifetime—nearly 90% of Scotland’s 2023 emissions. The impact of the recent heatwaves has been severe. The UK Health Security Agency recorded 2,877 excess deaths linked to the heat in May and June. Over 1,000 schools closed or sent students home early in late June, as temperatures made learning environments unsafe for children. The campaign group Mothers Rise Up says the time for action is now, especially as the Met Office has provisionally declared Summer 2026 the UK’s warmest on record, with an average temperature of 16.5°C for June, July, and August—higher than last year’s record of 16.1°C. Maya Mailer, policy lead for Mothers Rise Up, said the UK is not prepared for increasingly hot summers. “We have the mindset of being in a cooler climate and our buildings trap heat,” she said. A government spokesperson responded by stating that the UK is a global leader in tackling the climate crisis, investing in clean energy, and preparing for extreme weather through measures like new reservoirs and flood defenses. The spokesperson emphasized that the government is taking action to protect people and places from climate change impacts.