Here's how to avoid heat-related illnesses and stay cool this summer
The World Health Organization’s Europe office reported over 200,000 heat-related deaths across the region in the last four years, calling for urgent heat action plans. El Niño’s formation in the Pacific is expected to worsen global temperatures, intensifying extreme heat and weather events driven by fossil fuel pollution.
The World Health Organization’s Europe office warned Thursday that more than 200,000 people died from heat-related causes across Europe over the past four years, with most fatalities deemed preventable. Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Europe director, emphasized that climate change’s immediate threat is extreme heat, now a recurring crisis straining health systems. He urged countries to adopt heat plans, including cooling centers and flexible work schedules to avoid midday sun exposure. The WHO recommended avoiding outdoor activity during peak heat hours, seeking shade, and spending 2-3 hours daily in cooler spaces. Cooling homes involves closing windows during the day, opening them at night, and setting air conditioners to 27°C (81°F) with fans for relief. Vulnerable groups—children, elderly, disabled individuals, and those with chronic conditions—require extra protection, such as never leaving them in parked vehicles. Meteorologists confirmed El Niño’s formation in the Pacific, projecting historic strength that will exacerbate global warming fueled by fossil fuels. The phenomenon is expected to amplify extreme weather, including heatwaves, droughts, and storms worldwide. Kluge’s office stressed that proactive measures could prevent heat-related deaths, aiming for a ‘zero-death’ goal through systemic and community-level interventions. Urban and rural poor populations face higher risks due to inadequate housing and limited access to cooling solutions like air conditioners. The WHO advised hydration (1 cup per hour), cool showers, lightweight clothing, and protective gear like hats and sunscreen for outdoor workers. Manual and outdoor laborers were highlighted as particularly susceptible without schedule flexibility. The call to action emphasizes both individual precautions and large-scale policy changes to mitigate the growing threat of heat-related illnesses. Climate experts warn that without intervention, extreme heat will continue to claim lives and overwhelm infrastructure.
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