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Articles on Heat wave

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Sebastian Pfautsch/Western Sydney University

When homes already hit 40°C inside, it’s better to draw on residents’ local know-how than plan for climate change from above

Western Sydney residents whose homes often get hotter inside than outside during heatwaves have learnt to be resourceful in adapting to the increasing heat.
Temperature sensitivity makes western fence lizards vulnerable to climate change. Greg Shine/BLM

Climate change is already forcing lizards, insects and other species to evolve – and most can’t keep up

From dark dragonflies becoming paler to plants flowering earlier, some species are slowly evolving with the climate. Evolutionary biologists explain why few will evolve fast enough.
University engagement with communities, such as the clothing exchange organized by UBC Climate Action Mobilizers, is vital for empowering communities and addressing climate injustices. (Linda Nowlan)

Extreme heat, extreme inequality: Addressing climate justice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Often those most impacted by climate change are those least able to engage with climate discourse. Universities have a responsibility to engage with these communities.
Extreme heat can affect how well machines function, and the fact that many machines give off their own heat doesn’t help. AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar

Machines can’t always take the heat − two engineers explain the physics behind how heat waves threaten everything from cars to computers

People aren’t the only ones harmed by heat waves. The hotter it gets, the harder it is for machines to keep their cool.
Burlington, Vt., is often named as a ‘climate haven,’ but surrounding areas flooded during extreme storms in July 2023. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Looking for a US ‘climate haven’ away from disaster risks? Good luck finding one

Even ‘climate havens’ face a riskier future, and infrastructure often isn’t built to handle climate change. But there are steps cities can take to prepare.
The number of days of extreme heat is set to increase in the years ahead. An active lifestyle can help reduce the impact on your health. (Shutterstock)

Can physical activity boost our resilience to rising temperatures?

Many heat-related health problems can be avoided by adopting a healthy, active lifestyle. But the younger generation is less active than previous generations, and therefore more vulnerable.
A young boy in Lebanon struggles to stay cool during a heat wave. Climate anxiety is real for millions around the globe and presents serious consequences for us all, especially younger generations. Working to reduce climate anxiety is an essential part of any climate plan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Reducing eco-anxiety is a critical step in achieving any climate action

Climate anxiety is real and must be considered as a core component of any climate mitigation or adaptation and resilience strategy.
Just generating heat is not enough. We must also capture, store, and utilize waste heat year-round and especially in the winter months. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Why we need to reuse waste energy to achieve net-zero heating systems

As the drive towards electrification advances, one fact seems clear: it is far easier to reuse waste heat for our homes and businesses than it is to generate it anew.
There are several ways to help prevent a perilous rise in core temperature while being physically active in the heat. (Shutterstock)

How to train your body for hot weather if you are active or work outdoors

Heat exposure is inevitable for those who work or are active outdoors. A heat acclimation protocol, combined with heat-mitigating strategies, is the best defence against heat-related injuries.
Without home cooling, Phoenix’s weeks with temperatures over 110 F in July 2023 became dangerous. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Extreme heat is particularly hard on older adults – an aging population and climate change put ever more people at risk

Health and climate change researchers explain the risks and why older adults, even those in northern states, need to pay attention.

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