Summertime heat exposure can be addressed in multiple levels
Heat exposure can lead to several adverse health effects, such as heat stroke, cramps, decreased cognitive performance, and mental health issues2,3. At worst, it can lead to increase in all-cause mortality: in 2018 a heat wave in Finland was estimated to cause 380 excess deaths.4
But what should we do about it then? Different actors in society have their own role and potential to promote adaptation and protective actions. Starting at the government level, there are already several "top level" plans on how to adapt to heat and extreme temperatures, for example the
Government Report on Finland’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan until 2030 : Wellbeing, Safety and Security in a Changing Climate.
At the more local level, cities have an essential role in informing residents but also in providing city-wide policies and guidelines for planning and construction, urban green spaces, and public cooling stations, for example. At the building level, building managers have an important role in ensuring that buildings can be cooled, for example, with working blinds, appropriate windows, and shading from outdoor vegetation to manage heat stress.
Finally, the residents themselves can take several actions to protect their health during heatwaves. For example, in Canada, the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health has published Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide for citizens with tangible check lists and action points. Similarly, United States Environmental Protection Agency provides a set of instructions for citizens on how to cope with extreme heat. Recently, in Finland HSY has published heat wave guidelines for citizens.
Prepared BC: Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide
HSY: Helpotusta helteisiin – vinkit viileämpään asumiseen
In general, these actions can be very simple: block the direct sunlight with blinds or curtains, cross ventilate the apartment when the temperature outdoors is below the indoor temperature, stay hydrated and take care of your neighbours, especially the most vulnerable ones, namely the old, young and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
In Finland, the effects of climate change can already be seen in the form of rising average yearly temperatures and more frequent and severe heat waves. Now we need to learn how to adapt to avoid drastic consequences while still enjoying the short summertime we have.
As part of the Reco2.0 project, Tampere university aims to combine different measures of how overheating and heat exposure indoors may be reduced into a list of actions residents, building owners, municipalities, and other relevant stakeholders can take to reduce the risks from heat. The results will be published later this year.
References
1 Pilli-Sihvola K. et al. (2023). Ilmastonmuutokseen liittyvät riskit ja haavoittuvuudet Suomessa: Tarkastelu kansallisen ilmastonmuutoksen sopeutumissuunnitelman 2030 taustaksi [Sarjajulkaisu]. Valtioneuvoston julkaisuja 2023:72.
2 Naumann G. et al. Global warming and human impacts of heat and cold extremes in the EU. In: Publications Office of the European Union. Luxembourg; 2020.
3 Ebi K.L. et al. Hot weather and heat extremes: health risks. The Lancet, 2021, 398, 698-708.
4 https://thl.fi/en/web/thlfi-en/-/last-summer-s-heat-wave-increased-the-mortality-of-older-people-prepare-for-hot-weather-in-time
