Between May 2024 and May 2025, 4 billion people—about 49% of the global population—experienced at least 30 additional days of extreme heat, according to a recent study by Climate Central, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Center and World Weather Attribution.
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Yet despite these impacts, reporting on the science of extreme heat and connecting it to wider climatic shifts is a complex topic for journalists; with studies highlighting the need for solutions-focused stories to connect with readers, counter news avoidance and inform policymakers, there is a need for clear, actionable reporting.
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“Speak to the one that your grandma or granddad believes in, and [don’t] just assume that good scientific evidence will change their actions. Say, mom, grandma, who do you listen to? ‘Oh, my village chief’. Have that conversation with that village chief,” said Lee, pointing to the need for researchers and advisors like GHHIN to “co-create” health plans and narratives with these groups and the important figures of their community, particularly the elderly, one of the most vulnerable groups to heat.
“Find people and families who have experienced extreme heat as health or economic crises at a personal level, and tell their stories. Report on the relevant policies (or lack of relevant policies) and what the most relevant government agencies or individual leaders are or are not doing to address these issues,” added Erdenesanaa.