Children often have difficulties under extreme heat conditions. They cannot adjust their body temperatures even if their parents pay attention.
For example, in Japan, elementary schools usually have sports day in summer and they have practices outsides. However, many students get sick every year. Before going to outside, the schools tells them about rehydration. Why can we not protect them? One problem is our low consciousness.
Dr. Xerxes Seposo gave a presentation about the situations and solutions to extreme weather at JEMUN 2019. He is a professor specializing in Environmental Sciences. According to his talk, many extreme heat events are happening around the world.
In Japan, unprecedented levels of heat were seen in some areas. The city of Kumagaya reported a temperature of 41.1℃, the highest ever recorded in Japan last year.
This deadly heat is a big issue in the world. Especially, vulnerable people such as pregnant people, the elderly and the homeless are suffering more from this situation than the general population. This is because it is difficult for them to protect themselves on their own.
The professor said one of the best ways to survive extreme weather is a warning system.
This system would inform people about severe weather by using a network in order to minimize its impact.
By Michika Takebe and Toko Watanabe
How should we respond to extreme weather?
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