Heatwaves: Stay cool and prevent heatstroke
It is everyone's responsibility to prevent climate change from getting worse
Dubai: For a long time, climate change experts and environmentalists have been warning that human activities are resulting in high atmospheric temperatures. Initially, the concern, known as global warming, was rejected, ignored, or set aside, but now, it seems the issue cannot be overlooked anymore.
Recently, India broke heat records, while Pakistan is gripped by an intense heatwave that is likely to intensify. From North America to Europe and Africa to Asia, heat records are being broken across large parts of the planet.
According to NASA and NOAA 2023 was the hottest year Earth has experienced, causing severe human and economic impacts worldwide.
Suhail Bhat, a journalist from India who reports on climate change, and is currently based in Delhi told travelsdubai.com about the situation of heat waves in Delhi: "The current heatwave in Delhi is much worse than previous ones, with temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius in some areas. This extreme heat has lasted longer and is causing more health problems, with a 20% rise in heat-related illnesses and over 50 deaths.”
The situation in Pakistan is equally concerning. Doctors treated numerous patients with heatstroke at hospitals across Pakistan after an intense heat wave sent temperatures above normal levels.
A Climate Action advocate in Pakistan, Taimoor Siddiqui told travelsdubai.com “The heat wave in Karachi, Pakistan, has severely affected daily life activities and health of the citizens. Heat-related illnesses like heatstroke and dehydration are on the rise, overwhelming hospitals and increasing mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations."
He further added: "The government of Sindh had already directed all the DHOs and the Mayor to be alert and set up various camps to cater to the patients who are being impacted by this recent spell of heat waves especially in the northern part of the province.”
“Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to the impact of climate change. We have witnessed above normal rains, and floods,” Rumina Khursheed Alam, the prime minister’s coordinator on climate, mentioned at a news conference in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Why are heat waves occurring?
Heatwaves are part of the climatic cycle that occurs every few years, but the worrying aspect is the increase in their frequency and intensity. The primary reason is climate change.
Due to the excessive use of fossil fuels to run industries, vehicles, for mining, and drilling among other activities, the amount of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere is rapidly increasing. These gases are called greenhouse gases because they trap heat and prevent it from escaping into space.
However, blaming only climate change is not appropriate. The way we build cities also contributes to retaining and not releasing heat. Cities replace green spaces, forests, and fields with layers of cement and asphalt, which absorb heat like a sponge. Additionally, tall buildings in cities obstruct the flow of air, making it difficult for clouds to form.
Another reason is 'El Niño.' Names like 'El Niño' and 'La Niña' refer to the natural cycle of warming and cooling of the Pacific Ocean waters, which is completed every two to seven years. The warm phase is called El Niño, and the cool phase is La Niña. We are currently in the warm phase, which began in May 2023. This means the world was already warming, and El Niño has exacerbated it.
Effects on the human body
The current heatwave is not just unpleasant or uncomfortable; it can have serious effects on human health. When the temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius, it surpasses the human body temperature, which is when the body begins to be affected by the heat. The situation worsens when the humidity level increases, as the body cannot cool itself by sweating, leading to the risk of heatstroke, which can be fatal.
Preventive measures
Listen to your body: Be aware of early heatstroke warnings like excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, and weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek a cool environment immediately and rehydrate.
Take breaks: Don't push yourself too hard during hot weather. Schedule frequent breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas, allowing your body to cool down.
Cool down showers or baths: A refreshing dip can significantly lower your body temperature.
Wet a bandana or towel: Keep a damp cloth on your neck or forehead to promote evaporative cooling.
Never leave children or pets in parked cars: Even for a short time, car temperatures can rise dramatically, posing a severe heatstroke risk.
How to tackle climate change?
Immediate and long-term measures are necessary to reduce heat waves. Shifting to alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Afforestation and urban greening can also help as they absorb carbon dioxide and cool cities. These are tasks for governments, but it is not fair to leave everything to them.
At an individual level, we can do several things, such as staying informed, conserving electricity and water at home, and adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This is a problem affecting the entire planet, so all humans must work together to tackle it.