Torrid temperatures have I cooperating between leisurely Siestas and anxious thoughts about squandering Summer's beauty
In the heart of Stuttgart, extreme heat poses significant health risks, from minor heat rash to life-threatening heat stroke. As the city continues to be shaped by climate change, it's essential to take preventative measures to stay safe and healthy during heatwaves.
One innovative initiative is the heat bus, a service designed to help people without homes during extreme heat. The bus, driven by volunteers like Carolin Goetz from the German Red Cross, distributes essential items such as water, apple juice, snacks, sunscreen, and hats to those in need. The Marienplatz is one of the locations where the heat bus provides aid, ensuring that no one is left behind during the sweltering summer months.
The Stuttgart Hospital's emergency room sees an increase of up to 10% more patients during extreme heat, highlighting the importance of taking precautions. Tobias Schilling, head of the emergency room, advises taking it easy during such periods, as the body is running at full speed to maintain a body temperature of 37 degrees.
To combat heat in cities sustainably, more needs to be done. One step in this direction is the provision of public drinking water fountains. The city of Stuttgart recently inaugurated its 115th public drinking water fountain, joining Esslingen and Ludwigsburg, each with six fountains where one can fill their bottle. Drinking a lot and consuming saltier food is also important to prevent dehydration in extreme heat.
Heatwaves are not just weather events; climate change plays a crucial role in their occurrence. Tim Staeger from the ARD weather competence center explains that heatwaves are becoming more intense and frequent due to global warming. This week's heatwave is a reminder of this reality, as it is influenced by climate change.
To stay hydrated and safe during heatwaves, it's essential to drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages, which can worsen dehydration. Taking frequent breaks in cool or shaded areas, wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing, and avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during peak heat hours are also crucial.
If you have medical conditions or take medications affecting heat regulation, consult your healthcare provider for tailored advice. Monitor yourself and others for early symptoms of heat illness like muscle cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, or confusion and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms worsen. Stay informed about local heat advisories and air quality, and adjust outdoor plans accordingly.
Taking a siesta, or nap, during extreme heat is a common practice in some countries like Italy and Spain to avoid the midday heat. As the weather forecast indicates 18 degrees on Monday, it's appropriate for shorts at work. However, this cooling does not mean the heatwave was normal, as climate change plays a crucial role in the intensity and frequency of heatwaves.
Unfortunately, Ludwigsburg failed the heat check by the environmental aid, indicating a need for more efforts to combat heat in the city. As we navigate the challenges posed by extreme heat, it's crucial to prioritise hydration, rest, and cooling measures to protect our health in heatwaves.
- In addition to providing heat relief through the heat bus, it's equally important to address climate change, which contributes significantly to the occurrence of extreme heat events.
- As the intensity and frequency of heatwaves increase due to global warming, it's essential to delve deeper into environmental-science and climate-change research to develop sustainable solutions for health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health.
- Incorporating heat-resilient practices into science and technology, such as implementing public drinking water fountains and advising the use of saltier food to combat dehydration, can contribute to better health-and-wellness during heatwaves, while also supporting the overall environmental-science and climate-change mitigation efforts.
