The world is going through a transition, and it's affecting the people who live in it in dangerous ways. As our climate changes, temperatures fluctuate, and recently, the United States, among other parts of the world, has seen a heat wave, affecting millions. As a student at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, I was a research assistant, working on a project that detailed some of the effects of climate change, particularly in regard to the effects that climate changes have on sensitive groups.
One benefit to the struggling groups during heat waves is cooling centers. Cooling centers are areas in which people can find relief from the heat outdoors. Some examples of cooling centers include libraries, community centers, and many other public buildings. According to The Role of Cooling Centers in Protecting Vulnerable Individuals from Extreme Heat, "cooling centers became an important place to seek refuge from the heat for at least some of the hundreds of thousands of residents that do not have access to air conditioning in their homes or place of work."
Another key resource for further protection from heat waves is public pools. A recent example of this is New York City's new pool in Central Park. The Gottesman Pool has free public access with no ID required, managed seasonally by NYC Parks in partnership with the Central Park Conservancy. People can support sensitive groups by encouraging the use and construction of public pools, particularly for people with no AC or children who don't want to be cooped up all day.
Another important strategy for protecting vulnerable groups during extreme heat is improving outreach and communication efforts. If people saw themselves as vulnerable to heat and received reliable information about the health risks and ways to alleviate the effects of heat, they would be more likely to take protective measures and discover cooling centers. As the Earth changes, we must adapt and support each other, not only by creating more physical resources, but by spreading awareness and resilience in our communities.