Urgent Adaptation Programs Can Alleviate Heat-Related- Deaths

Sep, 2021 - By WMR

Too many strategies, planning, and recommendations should now be implemented on priority to prevent further harsh effects throughout the globe.

The increase in global warming and change in climate trends has increased temperature and consequent heat. This is causing the rise in death rates and illnesses related to heat. Series on heat and health was published in The Lancet that recommends mutual efforts to reduce and eliminate the effects of heat and climate change. It focuses to implement immediate and permanent remedies to curd these ill effects and save the most vulnerable strata of the people getting affected due to this.

The series of two papers were published this year before the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow held in the UK. In parallel with the Paris Agreement, the authors of this series urged on limiting global warming to 1.5°C to reduce and prevent heat-related death cases in the future. Urgent priority should be to immediately make changes in infrastructure, urban surroundings, and change in personal behavior to prevent mortality due to heat.

Inventions related to cooling are to be encouraged especially which are sustainable, effective, and eco-friendly. Increase in greening polluted areas and wall coating the buildings where ground space is not available. Adopting personal cooling techniques recommended by thermal physiologists help human to normalize body temperature without other side effects.

Services like air conditioning are not affordable to all and also harm the environment should be researched and updated. Co-lead author of the series, Professor Kristie Ebi recommended focusing on two strategic approaches that include reduction in carbon emission to reduce climate change. And other includes implementing timely and effective preventive measures for low-resource settings.

The study data also showed that there was a 31% increase since 1990 in cold-related death whereas heat-related deaths increased 74% mostly in warmer regions. The study was based on data collected from nine countries.