People around the world are feeling the tangible evidence of climate change. The extreme heat events  in the UK, Pakistan, and China in July are yet another reminder that climate change is real and has devastating effects on the global population.

The 2021 IPCC report has made it clear that without significant intervention from governments and the population, the Earth is on course to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next decade. This warming that the planet is experiencing leads to an increased frequency of heat waves — along with sea level rise, drought, and other consequences of climate change.

A study published in Nature Climate Change projects that week-long extreme heat events are two to seven times more likely to occur from 2021 to 2050 in comparison to the previous three decades, showing that heat waves are becoming more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting. These heat waves are not only having a devastating effect on the environment but also on people. The World Health Organization has estimated that 166,000 people died from heat-related illnesses from 1998 to 2017. We can expect the yearly death toll from extreme heat to grow as our planet continues to warm.

As more regions experience heat waves, it’s essential to understand their risks and how to protect yourself during an extreme heat event.

Similar to extremely cold weather, which can put people at risk of hypothermia or frostbite, exposure to extreme heat presents health risks, some of which can be life-threatening. Heat-related illnesses include:

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition; if anyone around you is experiencing the symptoms of heat stroke, call 911. Move the person to the shade or inside, remove excess clothing, and cool their body by bathing or spraying the skin with cool water or by applying ice packs or cold, wet towels. Do not give the person anything to drink.

If you think someone has heat exhaustion or rhabdomyolysis, get them to a clinic or emergency room for immediate treatment. Heat cramps alone rarely require medical attention, but as muscle cramps can be a symptom of heat exhaustion, watch for other symptoms. You may need a medical professional for heat rashes, but only if the rash remained for three to four days.

For anyone with a heat-related illness, it’s a good idea to stop physical activity, provide them fluids (unless they have heat stroke), move them out of the sun, and loosen their clothing. These actions can help alleviate some of the stress on the body.

With heat waves increasingly becoming a problem worldwide, it is critical to be familiar with ways to stay cool and protect yourself during extreme heat. Below are a few precautions to remember if you are enduring a heat wave.

Some precautions we’ve mentioned, like wearing light clothing and staying hydrated, are also helpful when the heat waves drag on into the night. Additional tips to stay cool during the night include:

Climate change is apparent, and its symptoms are more evident daily. As heat waves increase in frequency, it is essential to pay attention to your local news or weather app. Heat waves can come with little warning.

It is also essential to know that each of us can act against climate change. Whether you choose to switch to a plant-based diet, adopt solar energy for your household, or lobby your local government officials to pass eco-friendly legislation, any little effort makes a difference. Climate change may be happening now, but that does not mean our steps today can’t help prevent the worst possible outcome.

Vinson Waiters is a writer from Florida who has been writing short stories for over 10 years and now writes blogs/articles. With a curious mind and a love for research, he enjoys writing about anything, especially topics he previously knew nothing about. He is pursuing his bachelor’s in Egyptian History with the long-term hope of being a professor and best-selling author.

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