This report highlights the significant impact of extreme heat, fuelled by climate change, on Australian families, particularly children. It presents findings from a survey of 1,001 Australian parents and caregivers exploring the impact of extreme heat on families, including concerns about health and safety, financial pressures, schooling, and lifestyle effects.

The report calls for urgent action from elected leaders to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that climate change is a major electoral concern for parents.

Key findings

• 85% of parents worry about the impact of extreme heat on their families, rising to 89% for parents of children under five.
• 79% of families report sleep disturbances due to heat, increasing to 81% for parents of teenagers.
• Nearly half of respondents limit their use of air conditioning during heatwaves due to rising energy costs.
• 71% of caregivers express concern about sending their children to school on excessively hot days.
• 70% of families are keeping their children indoors more often this summer, rising to 76% for families with children under five.
• 70% of concerned parents say climate change or extreme heat will influence their vote.

Recommendations

1. Build more renewables faster, in the right locations, and assist communities to access household renewables and electrification measures. 
2. Commit to science-aligned climate targets and develop an action plan that cuts emissions further and faster.
3. Better resource people and communities to respond to unnatural disasters and extreme heat to keep our families safe.