The environmental group from Ealing criticises politicians locally for "ignoring" the dangers of climate change during general election campaigns.

Last week, the BBC reported that there have been over 500 deaths in Pakistan from temperatures soaring above 40C.

It's only five weeks since Pakistan had to shut schools in most parts of the country to protect children from heatstroke and dehydration during the last bout of extreme heat, which also affected India where 37 cities recorded temperature over 45 degrees Celsius with Delhi 'unbearable' at nearly 50C.

Ealing Friends of the Earth (EFE) also explain that over 1,300 died during this year's Hajj pilgrimage, with temperatures in Saudi Arabia exceeding 50C.

Elsewhere, a deadly heatwave scorched Mexico, Central America and the southern US during June.

Southern Europe, China and Africa have also been hit, and here in the UK the mercury reached 30C this week – way over the normal June maximum of 22C.

The group say the "heat is not just deadly to humans," it affect plants and animals, causes droughts and wildfires, and threatens agriculture and food supplies.

"Candidates are ignoring Climate Change in the TV election debates," say EFE.

"Politicians are scared to tell us that if we buy a huge car to get around London, the emissions from its manufacture and use mean more crop failures, more drought and more extreme heat."

Adding: "None of this should come as surprise. Scientists and the UN have been warning of the existential danger from cataclysmic global heating for over 30 years and it's happening even faster that they feared.

"Yet candidates have barely mentioned the issue in the TV election debates. Some even want to make things worse by burning more of the fossil fuels that create the problem."

The charity also argue that the climate crisis is due to high levels of human consumption and emissions from activities like driving and flying.

It call for realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes that reduce consumption without extreme "sacrifices."

Also highlighting benefits like cleaner air and better health and commit to pushing for urgent political action to address the crisis.

EFE continue: "Recently we remembered those who gave their lives on D-Day 80 years ago.

"The climate crisis may demand a sacrifice from us, if we want our children and grandchildren to have a future – though not of our lives - merely support for a reduction in how much we consume as a society.

"In fact the changes needed will mean cleaner air, safer & quieter towns and using our legs more, which will make us fitter and in all probability happier.

"Whoever wins the election, Ealing Friends of the Earth will continue to highlight the UN's warning that the world is on the verge of a climate abyss, and press for urgent action by our political leaders."

To find out more about EFE, click here.

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