SOLUTIONS
It is almost impossible to anticipate or predict natural disasters, since it just comes without any notice.
Like any other common natural disasters, heatwaves also come without any warning.
We, humans must prevent and be prepared for the worst consequences of extreme heat.
Individuals and communities need policies and infrastructure
that take better account of more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting extreme heat.
INDIVIDUALS
► Put up external shading outside windows
► Grow trees and plants near windows to act as natural air-conditioners
► Keep an eye on elderly, ill or young people to make sure that they are able to keep cool
► If someone is unwell or help is needed, be alert and call a doctor or social services
► Try to get help or consult your doctor if you have intense thirst and feel dizzy
with headache
► Be hydrated always
► If you have painful muscular spasms, rest immediately in a cool place
GOVERNMENT
(COMMUNITIES)
► Invest in clean energy technology, energy conservation, and energy efficiency measures.
► Existing policies need to be leveraged and new policies should ensure the safety of people
—children, low-income and minority groups, elderly people, athletes,
and especially for all outdoor workers.
► Expand access to and awareness of public cooling facilities
► Provide early warning alert of high temperatures through email or SMS
► Provide warnings of severe weather that has the potential to cause danger to life
(National Severe Weather Warning Service <NSWWS> )
► Monitoring and evaluation should be reinforced; real-time surveillance and evaluation
► Enable more accurate general weather forecasts to make informed decisions
about people's day to day activities
► Communicate with the public by using the media to give advice to people quickly,
both before and during a heatwave.
► Ensure that health and social care organisations and voluntary groups implement
measures to protect people in their care and reduce heat-related risks
By stabilizing global carbon emissions in the next few decades
(Atmospheric carbon dioxide remains below 550 parts per million by 2100),
the frequency of heat waves would be reduced by approximately 50 percent.