Heat: Through the eyes of the most vulnerable: Perceptions and pathways to action

This flagship report, with insights from across the network of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), brings together the latest science, risk perception research and voices from affected communities. The report provides a bottom-up perspective on extreme heat. Heat disrupts health, weakens social systems and triggers cascading failures in water, food and electrical and transport infrastructure. This report highlights the experiences of those who are most exposed, least heard and hardest hit.

The report concludes with the following call to action:

1. Recognize that heatrisk exists, is on the rise due to climate change, and is threatening human health and well-being
2. Ensure heat-risk messaging is inclusive, targeted and addresses sociopsycho­ logical drivers
3. Work to remove the practical, social and financial barriers that prevent heat action
4. Scale heat action plans and heat early warning systems
5. Incor- porate heat into urban planning and design
6. Plan for cascading and compounding impacts across sectors during extreme heat events
7. Urgently address heat governance and policy needs