Intense heatwave in Southern Europe leads to increased usage of cold baths and establishment of climate shelters
In the face of an unprecedented heatwave exacerbated by climate change, Italy is taking decisive action to safeguard its citizens and infrastructure. The country's efforts are focused on protecting workers, improving public health, and mitigating the impacts on infrastructure.
**Protecting Workers**
The Italian labour ministry has introduced new protocols to safeguard the health and safety of workers during heatwaves. These protocols include reorganising shifts and working hours, training, prevention, health surveillance, and risk assessment. Moreover, more than half of Italy's regions have implemented limits on outdoor work during the hottest time of the day, affecting sectors like construction, agriculture, and horticulture.
**Public Health Measures**
The Italian health ministry has issued maximum red alerts for cities experiencing extreme heat conditions, which can have negative effects on vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic conditions. Hospitals are experiencing a surge in heat-related admissions, with a 20% increase in emergency room visits noted during the heatwave. Authorities are focusing on supporting people with chronic conditions and the elderly.
To provide immediate relief, refreshment tents staffed by the Red Cross have been set up at tourist hotspots and transportation hubs, and pamphlets explaining heatwave safety protocols are being distributed. Special assistance services have been activated for vulnerable populations like the homeless. Hospitals in Naples have set up dedicated heatstroke pathways to speed up access to vital treatments like cold water immersion.
**Infrastructure and Energy Impacts**
The increased demand for air conditioning has led to blackouts in some areas, such as Florence and Bergamo, due to possible overloading of the power grid. The intense heat has also caused asphalt to crack, leading to temporary road closures and traffic jams.
**Community Support**
To help combat the heatwave, cities like Venice are offering free guided tours for people over 75 in air-conditioned museums and public buildings. Florence is asking doctors to flag up the lonely and vulnerable, and Ancona is delivering dehumidifiers to the needy. Rome is offering free access to city swimming pools for people aged over 70. Bologna has set up seven "climate shelters" with air conditioning and drinking water.
**Looking Ahead**
Italy's approach emphasizes both immediate relief measures and long-term strategies to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves on public health and infrastructure. The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) in France is taking in birds in difficulty due to the heat, while the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a warning for a red alert until Monday night.
Invasive species such as the lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot, and marbled spinefoot are beginning to appear in waters off southern Italy as the Mediterranean warms. Experts warn that the heat is severely impacting biodiversity, with some nest temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in Portugal. Nearly all of France is experiencing a heatwave expected to last for several days.
Italy is taking steps to address these challenges, launching a campaign this week urging fishermen and tourists to report sightings of the four potentially dangerous venomous species. The country's resilience and proactive approach are a testament to its commitment to protecting its citizens, infrastructure, and environment during these extreme weather events.
Society's focus on mental health is evident during heatwaves, as authorities are providing immediate relief to vulnerable populations and setting up special assistance services for those like the homeless. The Italian environment ministry is taking steps to mitigate climate change by launching a campaign to monitor and report sightings of invasive species in the Mediterranean sea. Science plays a crucial role in understanding the impacts of climate change on public health, infrastructure, and the environment, guiding Italy's strategies for coping with heatwaves. The health-and-wellness industry is also adapting, with cities offering senior citizens free access to air-conditioned museums, public buildings, and swimming pools to help them cope during extreme heat events. Environmental science is essential for understanding the long-term effects of climate change on biodiversity, such as the appearance of invasive lionfish and other species off the coast of southern Italy.
