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Extreme heat solutions

Solutions that address extreme heat risk across different contexts and scales exist.

Below are included approaches that reduce exposure, based on proper planning, design, governance, and community-based action. The examples highlight how heat risk can be managed through integrated, risk-informed measures that prioritise an all-of-society approach.

Explore different perspectives on how buildings can better adapt to heat.

Green walls can be up to 10 Degrees cooler than an exposed wall.
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Documents and publications
Heatwave warnings mitigate long-term cardiovascular diseases risk from heat-related illness: a real-world prospective cohort study

This study suggests that heat-related illness has significant long-term impacts on future cardiovascular disease CVD incidence, which can be mitigated by heatwave warnings.

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
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Documents and publications
Cooling efficacy of trees across cities is determined by background climate, urban morphology, and tree trait

The study examines the cooling efficacy of urban trees, emphasizing how climate, urban morphology, and tree traits influence their effectiveness in mitigating heatwaves and urban heat islands.

Nature Communications (Nature)
An Indian woman sparkling water on to the street in front of her light blue house.
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India: On urban heat, the country offers lessons to the world

India offers lessons to combat heat risks: Heatstroke treatment protocols, equipping ambulances with ice packs, adjusting worker schedules, dissemination of health advice, and distribution of drinking water and buttermilk to vulnerable populations.

World Bank, the
Heatwave, Bangladesh, 2023
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India: Ancient terracotta air coolers are helping fight extreme heat

In India's scorching summer heat, the ancient practice of chilling water in terracotta pots is inspiring new trends – from cooling towers to screens for buildings.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Kayalitsha, South Africa
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Sierra Leone: Can mirrors help fight the threat of extreme heat?

Most of the homes within these settlements are built using zinc-coated corrugated metal sheets, which rust, erode and trap in heat from the sun, making heatwaves increasingly dangerous for residents.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
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