Due to climate change, the intensity and frequency of extreme heatwaves have increased in recent years, becoming a serious threat to public health and ecosystems, in addition to their negative repercussions on various aspects of life and the economy. In response to this challenge, authorities in Australia, the United States, and Hong Kong have launched innovative initiatives to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. These solutions focus on enhancing resilience in dealing with high temperatures through various measures that combine technology and practical tools, including proactive measures, readiness, real-time data, and effective public communication.
Extreme heatwaves are part of natural weather patterns, but they have become more severe, frequent, and longer-lasting due to climate change induced largely by human activities. Extreme heat, often referred to as the "silent killer," poses a threat to communities in many parts of the world. It increases the occurrence of heat stress, heatstroke, and other heat-related illnesses, especially among vulnerable individuals including children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions. Extreme heat also has other negative effects, such as reducing work productivity, particularly for those working outdoors, as well as straining energy systems and harming ecosystems. Due to its encompassing impacts, extreme heat can exacerbate social inequalities, affecting low-income communities that may lack access to proper adaptation methods for cooling or healthcare coverage.
In response to the risks posed by this challenge, which urban areas are particularly vulnerable to due to the heat-retaining properties of asphalt streets and concrete and glass buildings, the Melbourne City Council in Australia launched an initiative in partnership with a technology-based startup specializing in weather monitoring. The initiative involves the development of a digital platform through which real-time weather data and temperature conditions in various Melbourne neighbourhoods are collected. This helps identify the locations most susceptible to extreme heat risks, contributing to setting priorities in a cooling strategy, taking into account the socioeconomic conditions of the residents.
As a component of a broader municipal effort to counteract extreme heat, this undertaking aligns with several other initiatives conducted by the city council. These initiatives include the greening of streets and neighbourhoods in Melbourne by planting approximately 3,000 trees to increase shaded areas and contribute to cooling. Another project focuses on collecting food and garden waste from homes with the aim of converting it into compost for use in the city's gardens and parks. This project has a dual benefit: by recycling the waste, it reduces the burden on landfills and their environmental impact. Furthermore, the municipality plans to involve more than 23,000 households in this project before extending it to include apartments in high-rise buildings.
The United States is also grappling with an exacerbation of extreme heatwaves, which statistics indicate have been increasing in frequency and intensity in its major cities. This trend has progressed from an average of two heatwaves per year in the 1960s to six in the past two decades, with growing severity and longer durations attributed to ongoing climate change effects. Naturally, this has led to a rise in health issues stemming from exposure to high temperatures. A study even revealed that heat-related deaths in the United States increased by an average of 1,373 cases per year between 2008 and 2017.
Consequently, dealing with this challenge has become a top priority for relevant authorities, necessitating innovative strategies and special preparations. In partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced the launch of a groundbreaking digital portal. This portal, the first of its kind, monitors and tracks ambulance service responses to health cases caused by extreme heat at the national level. It will enable local and federal authorities, through the presentation of various data related to these cases on a monitoring dashboard, to identify locations with higher injury rates. These areas can then be prioritized in strategies aimed at mitigating heat-related risks.
These strategies encompass the establishment of air-conditioned shelters or reception centres for residents during severe heatwaves and awareness campaigns targeting the most vulnerable groups. The portal will aid in identifying these groups by presenting data about the affected individuals, such as age, gender, and ethnic background. Additionally, it will provide valuable information to assist authorities in future planning, including the average time it takes for ambulances to reach patients and the percentage of patients transferred to medical facilities for further healthcare. This initiative underscores the commitment to safeguarding public health in the face of escalating heat-related challenges.
In Hong Kong, where the often high humidity exacerbates the impact of elevated temperatures on residents' health, the Ministry of Labour launched the "Heat Stress Alert System" earlier this year. This system employs a heat index specific to Hong Kong, factoring in relative humidity, solar intensity, and temperature. The ministry issues warnings to residents through a dedicated weather conditions app on mobile devices and the government's official website.
Depending on the severity of the heatwave, the system issues colour coded communications with the public. A yellow warning is issued to advise people to avoid prolonged sun exposure. This is followed by a red warning when the heat stress index reaches 30 to 32 degrees Celsius, and once the index hits 34 degrees, a black warning is issued, urging caution.
The primary aim of the system is to raise awareness of and protect outdoor workers who are most vulnerable to severe heat stress, such as construction and agricultural laborers. The ministry recommends that these workers take breaks ranging from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the warning level and the nature of their work. Employers are also encouraged to determine break schedules according to the intensity of the labour: light, moderate, high, or very high. Companies are prohibited from withholding wages during work stoppages or encouraging employees to work in exchange for financial compensation after the issuance of a warning. Employers are also required to monitor updates issued by the system hourly.
The key lessons from these initiatives, applicable to other countries and cities, emphasize the need for proactive adaptation to climate change challenges, the importance of real-time data preparation, collaboration among relevant stakeholders, prioritizing the most vulnerable groups, effective public communication, and the enactment of necessary regulations by regulatory bodies.
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/17/australian-open-disrupted-as-extreme-melbourne-heat-forces-players-off-court
- https://theconversation.com/melbourne-now-has-chief-heat-officers-heres-why-we-need-them-and-what-they-can-do-192248
- https://www.labour.gov.hk/common/public/oh/Heat_Stress_GN_en.pdf
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spain-ban-some-outdoor-working-during-extreme-heat-conditions-2023-05-10/
- https://smartcitiesconnect.org/melbourne-australia-develops-a-tool-to-aide-with-heat-risk/
- https://nemsis.org/heat-related-ems-activation-surveillance-dashboard/
- https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20230810/hhs-launches-online-dashboard-to-track-heatrelated-illnesses
