Climate Change

[ysabetwordsmith]

Heat index warnings can save lives on dangerously hot days... if people understand what they mean

Humidity doesn’t just make you feel sticky and uncomfortable – it also creates extra dangerous conditions on hot days. Together, too much heat and humidity can make you sick. And in severe cases, it can cause your body to shut down.

Meteorologists talk about the risk of heat and humidity using the heat index, but it can be confusing.
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Climate change is exacerbating heat risks by making extreme heat more common, intense and long-lasting. This means clear communication is necessary to help people understand their risk and how they can protect themselves.


Climate change is making heat waves hotter and deadlier. Scientists tend to talk about this in fancy terms. So let's simplify. If you need to talk about the heat, state the number then move directly into actions. You might also mention that vulnerable people such as children and seniors should take extra precautions.

80-90F: Caution -- If working or playing in hot weather, take frequent breaks to cool down and drink plenty of water. Prefer shady to sunny locations.

90-100F: Extreme Caution -- Prefer air conditioned spaces. Minimize amount of time outside. Avoid heavy exertion and direct sunlight. If you are sweating heavily, choose a drink with electrolytes such as a sport drink or agua fresca.

Over 100F: Danger -- Stay in air conditioned spaces as much as possible. Do not go out in the heat unless absolutely necessary. If you must, tell someone where you are going and when you'll be back. Avoid direct sunlight. Drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes.


And some general tips for today's society:

* It's not okay to murder workers by making them work in high temperatures without shade, water, or cooling stations.

* You can save a life by buying someone a fan or air conditioner.

* Lobby for cooling centers in your community.

* Learn to make foods and beverages from hot countries, as many of these are designed for cooling. Among my favorites are agua fresca and cucumber-tomato salad.

Comments

[siliconshaman]

Climate change means that we will get more lethal heat conditions, for longer and more often. There will soon be parts of the Earth that are uninhabitable by humans (without serious life support) because of this. And the Southern and Mid West US are right in the zone worst affected by this.

And yeah, the Republicans are trying to kill people this way.

[a_natural_beauty]

It's a scary time these days for our climate. I do worry about the future and what is to come for us all over the world. It's good you write these entries and give us something to think about!

[enchanted_jae]

We've been in the "extreme caution" zone for two days now. Blah.

[arlie]

> Learn to make foods and beverages from hot countries, as many of these are designed for cooling. Among my favorites are agua fresca and cucumber-tomato salad. <

The Indian equivalent is Nimbu Pani.

I recommend it.

p.s. The "low cal sugar" in the recipe linked is not authentic. (What is "low cal sugar" anyway? Some highly processed non-food, aka artificial sweetener?)