As global temperatures rise, practical solutions are emerging to help those most affected.
Extrema Global – Cooling App
Dr. Iphigenia Keramitsoglou, an atmospheric physicist, developed Extrema Global, an app that provides real-time temperature updates, air quality information, and maps of cooling locations like parks and libraries. Initially launched in Athens in 2018, it now serves cities including Paris and Milan, helping users find the coolest routes and rest spots.
Heat Insurance for Workers
Hansa Ahir, a waste recycler in Ahmedabad, benefits from a new insurance program designed to compensate workers during extreme heat. Introduced by Kathy Baughman McLeod and the Self-Employed Women’s Association, this initiative supports members when temperatures reach dangerous levels, with payouts used for essentials like medicine and rent.
Legal Protection for Outdoor Workers
Edgar Franks advocates for heat protection laws in Washington State, ensuring that outdoor workers receive shade, water, and breaks when temperatures hit 80°F or higher. This legislation, which Franks and others pushed for, aims to improve safety for farmworkers and contrasts with rollbacks in other states.
These initiatives reflect a growing recognition of extreme heat’s dangers and offer practical, tested solutions to address them.
