IFRC raise alarm on heat as summer nears

By Nidz Godino

“We are calling on governments, civil societies, young people and all  stakeholders to take concrete steps around  globe to help prepare countries and communities for extreme heat,” International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.secretary general Jagan Chapagain extreme heat is one of the most deadly problems from climate change even though it receives less attention than other knock-on effects like hurricanes and flooding.

Year  2023 was  hottest on record, with rising temperatures affecting  most vulnerable populations in particular  the elderly, outdoor workers and those without access to cooling systems such as air conditioners.

Red Cross and  US Agency for International Development delivered their warnings against “invisible killer” of extreme heat at  virtual summit, on  heels of  United States exiting its warmest-ever winter on record.

USAID chief Samantha Power warned in  United States, “heat is already deadlier than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined.”

“We are calling on development agencies, philanthropies and other donors to recognize  threat  extreme heat poses to humanity, and to put resources towards helping communities withstand that threat,” she said.

Highlighting ongoing efforts addressing extreme temperatures, Power said USAID was supporting  program to build “heat resilient schools” in Jordan, using “passive heating and cooling systems, thermal insulation, double glazed windows and air conditioning.”

Climate change’s effects aren’t limited to already hot places like  Middle East: in Europe,  fastest-warming continent in the world, more than 60,000 people were estimated to have died in heat waves in 2022, noted US climate envoy John Podesta.

“Climate information and services including early warnings can save lives and assets, but one-third of  world’s population doesn’t have access to this life-saving information ” he added.

Other efforts include those in Freetown,  capital of Sierra Leone, where nearly  million trees have been planted since 2020.

“But we mustn’t allow this conversation to let anyone off  hook when it comes to reducing emissions,” Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said.