Climate change adaptation to extreme heat: A global systematic review of implemented action

Abstract

Extreme heat events impact people and ecosystems across the globe, and they are becoming more frequent and intense in a warming climate. Responses to heat span sectors and geographic boundaries. Prior research has documented technologies or options that can be deployed to manage extreme heat and examples of how individuals, communities, governments, and other stakeholder groups are adapting to heat. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current state of implemented heat adaptations—where, why, how, and to what extent they are occurring—has not been established. Here, we combine data from the Global Adaptation Mapping Initiative with a heat-specific systematic review to analyze the global extent and diversity of documented heat adaptation actions (n = 301 peer-reviewed articles). Data from 98 countries suggest that documented heat adaptations fundamentally differ by geographic region and national income. In high-income, developed countries, heat is overwhelmingly treated as a health issue, particularly in urban areas. However, in low and middle income, developing countries, heat adaptations focus on agricultural and livelihood-based impacts, primarily considering heat as a compound hazard with drought and other hydrological hazards. 63% of the heat-adaptation articles feature individuals or communities autonomously adapting, highlighting how responses to date have largely consisted of coping strategies. The current global status of responses to intensifying extreme heat, largely autonomous and incremental yet widespread, establishes a foundation for informed decision making as heat impacts around the world continue to increase.

Identifying factors contributing to social vulnerability through a deliberative Q-Sort process: an application to heat vulnerability in Taiwan

“…Jonsson and Lundgren ( 2015 ) have argued that municipal planners, health care workers and citizens themselves may have extensive knowledge of drivers of heat vulnerability in a locality, but that such knowledge rarely has a significant influence on policy. Similarly, Turek-Hankins et al ( 2021 ) hold that knowledge of locally-appropriate heat adaptation strategies and vulnerability drivers may be held in traditional knowledge or in ‘grey literature,’ outside the body of peer-reviewed scientific evidence on heat. This was apparent in our research too.…”

“…Comprehensive understanding of risk from heat—and indeed climate risks more broadly—requires expertise on the influence of a breadth of factors to be included and evaluated within vulnerability assessment processes (Cutter et al 2014 ). Moreover, different factors will influence vulnerability differently across country contexts (Turek-Hankins et al 2021 ), meaning a pool of local interdisciplinary expertise is necessary to inform locally-appropriate strategies. Local governments themselves are looking to expert panels and committees to support their climate responses, as illustrated in the Edmonton Declaration which calls on cities to adopt science-based decision-making or even appoint chief scientists (City of Edmonton 2018 ).…”

Extreme Heat and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Scoping Review of the Epidemiological Evidence

“…Climate change increases global temperatures, augments normal seasonal temperatures and increases the frequency and duration of extreme weather events such as heat waves in some regions such as Europe (2003,2015), Russia (2010), Buenos Aires (2013), North America (2021) [1,2]. There is no globally-accepted definition for heat waves, though generally heat waves are declared when ambient temperature exceeds a threshold above normal high temperatures, sustained for a minimum number of days or weeks [3,4].…”

“…Heat waves experienced by Europeans in 2003 caused more than 70,000 deaths, generally attributed to heat stress/shock, respiratory/cardiovascular shock or exacerbations of underlying pathologies [6]. Extreme heat contributes to agricultural and ecological drought conditions [1], which in turn contributes to food insecurity, compromises water quality and increases insect-borne diseases [2]. Communities in low to middle-income countries may be disproportionately affected by extreme heat due to food supply issues caused by agricultural impacts and also by more directly adverse health effects in the absence of environmental mitigation strategies [2].…”

“…In humans, a maternal core body temperature of 39 • C is established as a teratogenic threshold; associated with increased developmental risks to the fetus [9]. Poor and racialized communities typically exhibit disparities in maternal and child health [10], further amplified by issues of environmental injustices such as extreme heat [2]. Several systematic reviews have concluded that high ambient temperature is associated with preterm birth, low birthweight and stillbirth [11][12][13].…”