Analysis pinpoints areas most vulnerable to hotter, drier weather causing ground to shrink and drag foundations down Millions of homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence, according toan analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS). As hotter, drier summers driven by global heating become more frequent, the ground under houses can shrink and drag down a property’s foundations. The most vulnerable areas include London, Essex, Kent and a tranche of land from Oxford up to the Wash on England’s east coast, according to scientists, who say mitigation measures will be needed.