Read on Twitter
1/n As the UK bakes in (yet another!) #heatwave and #London reaches 36 degrees, a short thread inspired by the brilliant @charisejeanine_ and @anulikesstars to refresh (
) why this heat matters for people, especially in #COVID19-times. Two parts: health & productivity.
) why this heat matters for people, especially in #COVID19-times. Two parts: health & productivity.
2/n #Health: This summer is predicted to be hotter than usual followed by a hot autumn ( #climatechange) and, with folks staying inside more given social distancing, it is hard to stay #cool. Those vulnerable to both heat stress and infection are particularly at risk as...
3/n heat exacerbates health conditions, especially lung and heart #health. This @WiredUK article by @drjmedeiros from 2018 clearly lays out the health risks of #heatwaves to our bodies and how @PHE_uk prepares for the impacts. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/uk-heatwave-health-risks
4/n As @mrdanhg points out in this timely blog with @SEforALLorg, #London is not built for extreme #heat. Most households do not have #AC or are not built - think shading, white roofs, tree cover! - to stay cool. https://www.seforall.org/news/staying-cool-is-a-hot-topic
And in #London, #urbanheatislands make matters worse increasing temps in comparison to nearby countryside. Check out this other @WiredUK article from @jtemperton on why urban heat islands happen and why London is particularly exposed. https://www.wired.co.uk/article/uk-heatwave-london-urban-heat-islands
4/n Next up, #Productivity: as a #heatwave sweeps in, productivity goes down. This is seen both at the individual and national level. I'll nod to @anantsudarshan in @Forbes who highlights: 'In hotter years, the economic output of countries goes down. Developing countries ...'
5/n located in tropical regions get hit the hardest, but everyone suffers. Climate change will exacerbate this effect... hotter temperatures could reduce global incomes by an average of 23% by 2100.' https://www.forbes.com/sites/ucenergy/2018/08/29/heat-makes-people-less-productive-spelling-trouble-for-the-economy-and-future/#552457a7bb1e
6/n And it's not just at the national level. In 2019, @AndyKiersz wrote in @businessinsider '... #heatwaves can have a direct impact on how much workers produce and earn on a particular day. In fact, according to recent research, a hot day can decrease...
7/n productivity by as much as 24%.' That is significant and important to consider as we think about the well being of essential workers and those working in new (and sometimes hot!) conditions from home. https://www.businessinsider.com/heat-wave-effects-on-economic-productivity-2019-7?r=US&IR=T
So, yes, this heat matters AND its impacts are felt disproportionately. This article - focused on the US context but with wider applicability - by @ninalakhani in @GuardianUS lays out clearly how heatwaves exacerbate existing systemic racial inequalities. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/28/us-racial-injustices-will-worsen-climate-crisis-escalates
A few choice quotes: 'In US cities nationwide, heatwaves disproportionately affect under-served neighbourhoods thanks to the legacy of discriminatory housing policies denying home ownership and basic public services to people of colour.'
'Agriculture, an industry which depends on cheap migrant labour, many workers, especially undocumented migrants, already often lack access to crucial mitigation measures such as regular breaks, shade, medical services, adequate clean water and health insurance.'
'It’s not just the lack of trees and parks, access to economic resources to mitigate the harmful, potentially fatal impact of extreme heat such as air conditioning, cinema tickets, and even bus fare to reach a mall, is also inequitable, studies show.'
Honestly, read the whole thing! https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/28/us-racial-injustices-will-worsen-climate-crisis-escalates
So, where to? A non-comprehensive list of people & orgs working to meet cooling needs sustainably:
@SEforALLorg's #CoolingforAll report & new #ThisIsCool campaign!
@Kigali_Cooling & @ActOnCooling on efforts to accelerate #efficient, #climate friendly #cooling transition!
@SEforALLorg's #CoolingforAll report & new #ThisIsCool campaign! @Kigali_Cooling & @ActOnCooling on efforts to accelerate #efficient, #climate friendly #cooling transition!
and @AEEE_India, @CLASPappliances, @IIED, @NRDC, @U4Efficiency, @BerkeleyLab, @Toby_Peters_ @CoolingPrize, @GlobalCoolCity, @CCACoalition, @CaaS_initiative, @GCIGreenCooling, @CountOnCooling, @beisgovuk, @DefraGovUK, and many, many more!And, please, stay #cool.
