Global strategies emerge to combat rising extreme heat

As global temperatures rise, various regions and sectors are implementing diverse strategies to manage extreme heat. In Europe, the continent is warming at twice the global average rate, exacerbated by drying soils that lose their natural cooling capacity. This has led to increased demand for cooling solutions, ranging from personal technology in East Asia—such as cooling vests and specialized umbrellas—to institutional efforts in Spain, where Ihobe has developed technical guidelines for creating municipal climate refuge networks.

Economic and logistical sectors are also adapting. Fleet managers are being advised to optimize routes and maintenance to handle summer conditions, while truck drivers in Italy face challenges regarding engine use for air conditioning during rest periods. On a personal level, experts highlight the importance of food safety in high temperatures and the psychological impacts of heat on cognitive function and irritability. Residential cooling is being approached through both technological means, like improved air conditioning installation, and low-tech methods such as cross-ventilation and strategic window management.