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You’ve seen the headlines. Historic heatwaves are sweeping across the United States. Southern and central Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures in May. India had the hottest temperatures this March since records were first kept over 120 years ago.
It is barely summer and this year is already presenting us with extraordinary, extreme heat waves. As the planet continues to warm due to climate change, temperatures like these –often over 40ºC (104ºF) – will be something we have to learn to live with.
Rising temperatures will also come with serious consequences. Heatwaves, which are becoming more severe with every passing year, threaten millions with heat-related sickness and death. Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), calls heatwaves “the silent killers of climate change”.
Cities — which have many impermeable surfaces like concrete and are often lacking greenery — are especially at risk. Around the world, experts, organisations, and some politicians are beginning to prepare for the worst. A partnership between the IFRC and C40 Cities, a network of mayors created to address the climate crisis, is leading the way – here’s how.
Read more on Geneva Solutions (EN)
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