How to cool down in a heat wave – what the science says
Another way to beat the heat is wild swimming. But be aware of cold shock. Slowly submerge your body in the water, understand the limits of your swimming ability and the rules about where it is safe to swim, because many people drown in hot weather.
Urban design
Those clammy, sleepness nights in a heatwave can leave you wondering if it’s time to raid the savings and install air conditioning. The heat can be especially bad in cities, which create urban heat islands (a metropolitan area a lot warmer than surrounding rural spaces). But there is a solution that’s gentler on your energy bill.
Green walls and roofs not only look pretty but can cool the buildings beneath them by as much as 12C, while green walls can be up to 32C cooler than conventional walls and save 59% of energy costs as well as providing sound insulation.
They have blossomed in London boroughs where they have been made part of local planning policy since 2008. They cool flat-roofed buildings in summer and insulate them in winter, reduce the risk of flooding by soaking up rainwater, filter air pollution and provide refuges for rare and threatened wildlife – which can struggle with the heat too.
Animals in the heat
Leaving fresh water dishes in your garden or balcony can make all the difference for wild animals. Birds and hedgehogs will appreciate food you put out for them any time of year but during the summer the ground can harden, making it harder to forage. Plants also suffer in heat. You can help by learning when the best time to water them is.
And watch out for pets. Do not leave them (or people) in cars. It is best to walk pets in the morning or evening when the pavement and ground surface is cooler.
Climate change is driving a rise in heatwaves. One study showed that someone born in 1960 is on average likely to experience around four heatwaves, whereas someone born in 2020 is likely to experience 30 heatwaves with 1.5C warming. We have a 50% chance of hitting this level in the next ten years.
So protecting yourself from heat may seem like common sense, but it could be the difference between life and death.
Chloe Brimicombe, PhD Candidate in Climate Change and Health, University of Reading.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/science-health/957310/how-to-cool-down-in-a-heat-wave-what-the-science-says