TED Talks Daily A 3-part plan to take on extreme heat waves | Eleni Myrivili
Aug 18, 2023
Eleni Myrivili, the Chief Heat Officer of Athens, shares her expertise in urban heat resilience and mitigation strategies. She emphasizes that extreme heat is often underestimated compared to flooding and hurricanes. Eleni discusses the urgent need for cities to rethink their design by integrating nature and sustainable practices, showcasing innovative strategies from around the globe. She advocates for a comprehensive approach to confront rising temperatures, focusing on awareness, redesigning urban landscapes, and protecting vulnerable communities.
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Heat's Silent Danger
- Extreme heat is the deadliest extreme weather phenomenon, but it's often overlooked.
- Unlike dramatic events like floods or hurricanes, heat's impact is quiet and insidious.
Urban Heat Islands
- Cities and their infrastructure, designed for past climates, are ill-equipped for rising temperatures.
- Urban structures absorb, store, and radiate heat, creating dangerous urban heat islands.
Heat's Wide-Ranging Impacts
- Extreme heat has a wide range of negative health impacts, including mental health problems.
- Certain groups like the poor, elderly, pregnant women, and outdoor workers are most vulnerable.