Part I. Heatwaves as Weather and Climate Phenomenon -- Chapter 1. Heatwaves -- Chapter 2. Defining Heatwaves -- Chapter 3. Heatwaves as Extreme Events -- Chapter 4. The Physical Nature of Heat and its Measurement -- Part II. Physical Causes of Heatwaves -- Chapter 5. Modes of Climate Variability -- Chapter 6. Synoptic Scales Atmospheric Processes and Heatwaves -- Chapter 7. Surface Atmosphere Interactions and Heatwaves -- Chapter 8. The Urban Surface and Heatwaves -- Part III. Heatwave Consequences -- Chapter 9. Conceptualising and Assessing Heatwave Impacts -- Chapter 10. Exposure and Vulnerability as Modifiers of Heatwave Impacts -- Chapter 11. Observed Impacts of Heatwaves -- Part IV. Heatwave Responses -- Chapter 12. Heatwave Responses: Adaptation -- Chapter 13. Heatwave Responses: Early Warning Systems -- Chapter 14. Heatwave Responses: Mitigation -- Chapter 15. Synthesis and Directions for Future Enquiry.

Distinctively, this book brings together an end-to-end understanding of heatwaves, that is, a consideration of their causes, consequences for human and natural systems and societal responses to them in the form of adaptation and mitigation actions. It advocates for recognizing "the heatwave imperative" and emphasizes that “heatwaves matter”. Together, the individual chapters make the point that “knowing heatwaves” from a holistic interdisciplinary perspective will assist with efforts towards heatwave risk reduction and building resilience to what is probably the most pervasive of a range of climate hazards. The book will be of interest to upper level undergraduate and taught postgraduate students and researchers in geography, climatology, environmental, atmospheric and population health sciences as well as climate and health researchers, urban planners, policy makers and the informed public with an interest in climate and society issues.