. 2010, 28(19): 98-102.
An increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves is likely to be one effect of global climate change, one which will attract the attention of the broader scientific community. Heat waves have serious impacts on society including probable increases in mortality, strain on infrastructure (power, water and transport) and social disturbance. Wider impacts may include effects on industries, tourism and ecosystems. To date, heat largely has been ignored. To develop better coping strategies, this paper explores the main factors that shape vulnerability to heat waves, the definition of heat waves and initiates an avenue of research to address considerable knowledge gaps in this area. Vulnerability to heat waves includes degree of exposure to the heat hazard, sensitivity to changes in weather/climate and adaptive capacity. Furthermore, based on a broad range of research, this paper outlines some suggestions to decrease the impact of heat waves and explores coping strategies for extreme events in the future. Heat waves do not affect everyone. The most likely to suffer are vulnerable individuals or sectors of society such as those who are elderly, have pre-existing health problems, work in jobs requiring heavy labor, live alone, are immobile or have a low-income. The synergistic effects of such factors may prove fatal for some. Adapting to more frequent heat waves should include soft engineering options and, where possible, avoidance of widespread use of air conditioning, which could prove unsustainable in terms of energy. Strategies for coping with heat include changing the way in which urban areas are developed or re-developed, and setting up heat watch warning systems that integrate weather forecast information with heat warnings and associated intervention strategies.
