If you can’t stand the heat, it’s because of climate change

The world’s first named heatwave, Heatwave Zoe, struck Seville, Spain last week and sent temperatures soaring to above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Seville is the first city to implement a naming system for heatwaves, mirroring existing global conventions for other extreme weather events. As we learn to adapt to the impacts of climate change, there is a need to relook how we think of disaster design. While a small step, naming heatwaves signal a wider societal shift in recognizing their deadly potential and responding through implementing systems that can heighten urban resilience — such as deploying assistance for the most vulnerable populations, or limiting outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. The practice of naming heatwaves is not yet a global convention, but a ubiquitous adoption globally can be life-saving for many.

Read the full article on Smithsonian here.

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