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Expert pieces on heat

This page features expert analyses and blog pieces that explore key issues related to extreme heat, including emerging risks, heat risk education, and lessons from research and practice.

The contributions provide interpretation, context, and forward-looking perspectives to support informed discussion and decision-making on heat risk.

Explore what a Heat Resilience Officer does.
Heavy flooding from monsoon rain and tide from river in Dohar, Bangladesh (2016)
Blog
Ilan Kelman Ana Prados Gareth Byatt
Disasters that never happened: Six preventive actions
What if the next big flood, wildfire, or heatwave didn't make headlines? Not because it didn't happen, but because communities, governments and local authorities were so well-prepared that a disaster was avoided?
Two women dressed in the traditional Indian Saree are walking through the narrow streets of the blue city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Blog
Repaul Kanji
The blue houses of Jodhpur: Traditional wisdom for a cooler future
Jodhpur is known as the “Blue City” for its captivating blue-painted houses. But, beyond their visual appeal, these houses hold a hidden secret; a revelation that could pave the way for a cooler, more sustainable urban future.
Turin heat island effect
Blog
Daniele Berruti
Can Turin beat the heat? The socioeconomic factors at play in the urban heat island effect in an Italian city
To better understand the implementation of a micro-scale urban heat island risk assessment, researchers conducted a study using Turin as a subject – the first time that such an in-depth methodology is applied in any Italian city.
Creative design with human hands holding a speech bubble
Interview
How social listening and public trust can reduce heatwave and wildfire risks
PreventionWeb spoke to Miguel Telo de Arriaga, Head of the Division of Literacy, Health and Well-being at Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health to learn more about the country’s approach to risk communication, and how this is applied to reduce risks.
A tired and stressed worker sweating from the hot weather in the summer working in a port goods cargo shipping logistic ground,
Blog
Kristin VanderMolen Nicholas Kimutis Benjamin Hatchett
Improving heat risk education and warning messaging: 3 recommendations
As population exposure to extreme heat increases, government agencies are developing heat health warning systems to support the public in taking protective action. The reach and effectiveness of these interventions is still a concern.
A tourist in Athens (2012)
Interview
Heat officer: arising risk, emerging role
What are the key heat management skills of this century? Athens' Chief Heat Officer answers that question.
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