Heat Action Day 2 June 2024, summary of activities

Heat Action Day 2024

On Sunday, June 2, 2024 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, cities, and organizations from around the world participated in a global day of Heat Action in public spaces around the world to raise awareness of heat risks and simple ways to #BeatTheHeat.

Over 180 organizations and Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies registered to take part, and embodied this year’s theme of Urban Art. They organized a multitude of activities including public art making session and contests, parades, public engagement activities and miking, regional heat webinars and seminars, and many more that are captured in a photo gallery of the heat actions.

For example, in Zanzibar divers educated tourists and locals with HAD messages and artwork, while in Nepal the Red Cross held a heat awareness campaign that included providing safety information and free drinking water through kiosks and health desks. In Abuja, Nigeria, an exhibition was organized showcasing the artwork of African artists that depicted the impact of heat on urban environments across Africa, and in Honduras traditional dancers gathered in a popular shopping mall to dance and share heat messages. London Climate Action Week developed lessons plans for 3600 schools across the country on extreme heat risks and solutions, while the Grenada Red Cross engaged school children in an art competition and exhibition with the theme of extreme heat. These are just a few examples showcasing the breadth of activities that took place in support of Heat Action Day (see Annex 1 for more examples).

The media also took notice of Heat Action Day, by attending a press briefing at the UN Palais in which the Climate Centre, along with World Weather Attribution, and Climate Central introduced a new report on the last 12 months of climate change-driven heat. This resulted in 862 news articles, with 6.16M unique viewers and an advertising value equivalency of $50,294,793.

The day was orchestrated by the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre with the IFRC, and partner institutions including, World Weather Attribution (WWA), Global Heat Health Information Network, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, USAID, UNDRR, London Climate Action Week, and WHO. It would not have been possible without the generous support of the American Red Cross.

Summary of Activities

Global

• ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability shared our Heat Action Day materials and messaging among their network of 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
• Climate Central, WWA and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre published a report on the last 12 months of climate change-driven heat, and organised a press conference at the UN Palais and a webinar that was attended by 82 influential participants.
• UNDP produced a blog to observe Heat Action Day. Read the blog here: https://bit.ly/3WY7qIf This was accompanied by messages on LinkedIn and X to promote the same from organizational as well as individual accounts.
• USAID and IFRC together launched the “Global Sprint of Action on Extreme Heat” during the Global Extreme Heat Summit on March 28, 2024. This initiative aims to raise awareness and drive commitments from various sectors to help communities prepare for and adapt to the impacts of extreme heat. The campaign spanned from the summit’s launch to Earth Day, culminating in the Heat Action Day/Global Action Day for Extreme Heat on June 2, 2024. In it, USAID and IFRC called on governments, multilateral development banks, private and philanthropic funds, civil society, youth, and students to take global action. The primary goal was to help countries and communities enhance their resilience against extreme heat.

Africa Region

• The Tanzanian Red Cross/Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre were active participants:   Volunteers painted informative paintings, pictures and messages on banners; TRCS Unguja city utilized divers as a TRCS volunteers held a printed banner and jumped in the sea at the public beach in Zanzibar with the goal of entertaining locals and tourists and promoting heat action messages on how to minimize heat impact on children, tourists and market vendors. Social media posts were also shared.
• The African Narrative on Climate Change held two activities in Abuja, Nigeria: the “Art for Heat Awareness” Art Exhibition, showcasing artworks depicting the profound impacts of heatwaves on urban environments across Africa by various African artists; and a Children’s Interactive Workshop,” Rising Voices”, to engage children and young people in activities that illustrate the potential future impacts of climate change on African coastal cities.
• The Skylight Youth Development Group in Kampala, Uganda used football to raise awareness, issuing green smart gifts like tree seedlings during matches, to balance the number of trees planted vs trees cut down, since trees are the major decarbonisation agents the world has.
• The Sierra Leone Red Cross held an enrollment ceremony combined with Heat Action Day—providing tips on drinking more water, planting trees in your surroundings and using umbrellas.

Americas Region

• American Red Cross and the Climate Centre produced an indoor, portable mural. One focus of the mural is on symbols connected to heat preparedness through activities and programs like tree planting, green spaces creation, spending time in shade, water drinking and accessibility. The second focus of the mural is on American leaders, past and present, who have helped to make US cities safer for the most vulnerable populations in terms of health, climate, and environment. The long table scene is inspired by humanitarian chef Jose Andres’ “build longer tables not taller walls” ethos, with the idea that the mural will show that all community members deserve safety in the face of a changing climate. The two foreground characters are Hazel Johnson and Robert Bullard, oftentimes referred to as the mother and father of environmental justice, both having done a lot of work to protect vulnerable communities from environmental and climate harms. In the mid ground of the mural we see Cheryl Johnson, Hazel Johnson’s daughter, instrumental in continuing her work, and other young environmental justice pioneers.
• The Honduras Red Cross, CoCHAP and IFRC Americas regional office participated in several cities by: holding an activity in a school with children to make drawings on how they experience heat in their city, that were then shared on the HRC website and social media; producing a video for social media; creating a flash mob with a traditional Honduran dance, and sharing brochures with information on heat and health afterwards; and inviting a Professor from the Architecture department of the National Autonomous University of Honduras to take photographs with a thermographic camera.
• In Dallas, Texas, Highland Park High School MAPS Environmental Architecture class produced an educational podcast highlighting the steps students can take to promote sustainability and mitigate the effects rising temperatures, and built a playhouse for CASA (to be exhibited publicly for weeks afterwards in a prominent shopping center) using techniques to help manage the forces of extreme heat such as 1) preserving existing structures and not putting more construction debris in the landfill; 2) incorporating features such as solar lighting and recycled and repurposed materials like Plexiglas windows, rug samples as carpets and balsa wood remnant pieces for a game board, 3) choosing designs that incorporate shade and natural cooling opportunities, like a porch and cross ventilation afforded by sliding windows, and 4) constructing plans that preserve heritage trees and plant material in lieu of more concrete.  Also, the iconic Reunion Tower ball was lit up orange for Heat Action Day on June 2.
• Grenada Red Cross held an interactive session with a presentation prepared by a guest speaker and public health expert, who engaged students in discussions aimed at increasing their understanding of the risks posed by extreme heat and the importance of climate resilience, and raising awareness among students in participating schools about the connection between climate change, heat waves, and public health. They also held a Heat Action Day Art Exhibit Competition where students in seven schools showcased their creativity and advocacy for climate action and resilience.
• The City of Grand Junction, CO conducted a social media campaign consisting of information on how to protect oneself from extreme heat. They also announced their participation in a NOAA urban heat island mapping campaign that will help them understand uneven heat distribution through the city and inform heat-reducing strategies.

Asia Pacific Region

• The Mahila Housing Trust in Ahmedabad, India shared heat awareness messages on social media, highlighting learning from a previous heat event on social media; and created a Net-Zero Cooling Station dedicated space aimed at keeping urban-poor, marginalized communities as well as commuters cool and safe during Extreme Heat, while minimizing environmental impact.
• The Nepal Red Cross/American Red Cross were very active in Nepal. The Climate Seed Fund project started last fall; NRCS started early, ensuring leadership and collaboration of the government, partner national societies and RCRC Climate Center; NRCS held community-driven heat awareness campaigns through audio and visual scrolling of safety messages (radio and TV programs), miking and social media boosting on popular platforms like Facebook, and messaging through LED display boards in public places with dense traffic; provided safety information and free drinking water through kiosks and health desks; NRCS provided teachers with “teacher sponsors’ workshops” so that the information could be passed on to the youths; workshops were organized to provide dedicated information to the occupationally exposed groups like rickshaw drivers, street vendors, traffic police, industry workers and other daily wagers; they carried out household visits to the houses of people most vulnerable to heat waves to inform them of safety measures; ramped up the construction of cooling centers and household selection for the cool roof initiatives; performed heat hotspot data analyses of 1500 households, with web-based visualization for temperature, humidity and precipitation and a webpage alert system; coordinated with the respective department of the Federal Government (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority); and held the first national “Disaster Dialogue” (live broadcasted on YouTube) with participation of various government and non-government stakeholders including journalists (the dialogue was live broadcasted various media including YouTube).
• Indian Red Cross branches in the east of the country organised drinking water points and tested misters.
• The American Red Cross Indonesia Delegation held several events:  1) in Surabaya during the city’s Car Free Day, educating the community on the risks and impacts of extreme heat and emphasizing the importance of preparedness and response efforts, forming part of the larger Coastal Climate Resilience and Extreme Heat Action Project; 2) an Extreme Heat City Coalition Surabaya, including government bodies like Disaster Management, Environment, BMKG, Planning, and the IFRC Head of Delegation; 3) a dance performance by Youth Red Cross volunteers with speeches; 4) a symbolic distribution of polybag seedlings to representatives from the government, PMI NHQ, IFRC, and community (Ojek online drivers); 5) a Jalan Santai Parade accompanied by Angklung (bamboo music); 6) distribution of Heat Awareness campaign stickers and plant seedlings; 7) education and socialization through posters and interactive sessions; 8) an online survey on Heat Knowledge using a QR Code Google form; and 9) Interactive Games with prizes like umbrellas, tumblers, t-shirts, tree seedlings, and stickers. Approximately 1,000 participants were reached. Media Engagement was significant including a live report by CNN Indonesia (with 1 million viewers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weW3xxFBahM
• In Indonesia, PMI organized a parade for Heat Action Day that included awareness raising messaging, speeches, and media coverage. They also organized in Medan City its Heat Action Day, including activities such as: first aid exhibition, campaign parade, blood donation, and urban art (PMI Medan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7lbtmsPiec/?igsh=MWF0cTM2OHBuYm52NQ==)
  Also, they leveraged corporate support from skincare brands KAHF and WARDAH, who provided free skin care treatments during the campaign.
• ICLEI Korea organized various activities in several cities: a Heatwave Response Dalbit (Moonlight) Forum, featuring discussions on national policies for adapting to heatwaves, as well as sharing successful heatwave adaptation policies and effective heatwave adaptation strategies; an Environment Education Week showcasing a Heatwave VR Simulation Booth (with the Asia Pacific Disaster Resilience Centre of IFRC), which provided a fun and engaging way for over 40 participants (especially children) to learn about actions they can take to respond to heatwaves in a game-like format; an Environment Day Commemoration Event – ‘Drawing the Thermal Map of Our Neighborhood’, which allowed participants to measure their neighborhood’s temperature, receive an analysis from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and learn about summer heatwave response and adaptation (it will continue after HAD); and guidance shared via social media posts.
• The Asian Development Bank produced two events:  one at ADB HQ on “Promoting Resilience to Heat Waves: Strategies and Solutions for Asia and the Pacific” featuring keynote speaker Eleni Myrivili, UN Habitat’s Global Chief Heat Officer. Alongside a panel of experts, they discussed practical strategies for mitigating the impact of heat waves, with a focus on building resilience, adapting policies, and strengthening infrastructure to protect those most at risk, including women; and one in Bangladesh on “Rising Above the Heat: Igniting Conversations on Gender and Heat Stress”, which introduced the topic of heat stress, its disproportionate impact on women, and the need for gender-responsive actions–aimed at introducing Technical Assistance 10127 and its objectives to potential in-country collaborators; and finally, they launched a microsite on gender and heat stress–https://www.adb.org/multimedia/genderandheat/
• Bangladesh Red Crescent was very active, creating an awareness campaign distributing environmentally friendly hand fans; and organizing a flash mob, art competition on beat the heat by school students, and a quiz competition.
• Hong Kong Red Cross created a social media campaign: “Protect Yourself and Care For Others In Response to #HeatActionDay, which shared important information such as, When the Hong Kong Observatory issues an “Extremely Hot” Special Alert and red or black Heat Stress at Work warnings, HKRC will set up rest stations with community partners that provide a combination of cooling, hydration, and heatstroke prevention education. Also, they are distributing summer work equipment to 1,100 individuals, including outdoor workers such as cleaners, recycling workers, and food delivery riders to help them prepare for heatstroke risks during their work. And, with the support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, HKRC launched the “Jockey Club Beat the Heat Project” in March. They conduct heat health risk assessments📋 for residents aged 65 and above and provide them with cooling supplies such as fans and reusable ice packs according to their needs, aiming to enhance education and prevention efforts (learn more about Jockey Club “Beat the Heat” Project: https://s.redcross.org.hk/HHPe)
• The Philippine Red Cross in partnership with the IFRC and Flood Resilience Alliance Philippines Project held various activities such as: Disseminating IEC materials to spread awareness of heat threats to the public; holding an online webinar about worsening heat in the Philippines, actions that can be done, heat-related illnesses and how to prevent them, and a first-aid demonstration related to heat risks; posting and sharing infographics through various online social media platforms, and distributing printed materials; competing in a TikTok Challenge wherein volunteers and staff were encouraged to use the TikTok platform to advocate for the actions to be taken against the effects of climate change, specifically extreme heat; and holding an Urban Art Contest, for volunteers and staff to express their feelings, opinions, and perspectives about the extreme heat humanity faces using art.
• Kathmandu University Youth Red Cross Circle in Nepal conducted an awareness program on Heat Action Day highlighting the following points: 1. What are Heatwaves?; 2. Their impact on students, teachers, workers; 3. Heat exhaustion vs Heat stroke warning signs; 4. First aid for Heat exhaustion and Heat stroke; and 5. Key messages for mitigating heatwaves. Also, some dramas were performed highlighting heatwaves and its consequences on human health. (Link to video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19kd7ChCfeXLJeCXhKD_ZtC8nyBIH1z2g/view?usp=sharing)=

Europe region

• London Climate Action Week (LCAW) shared messages about #BeatTheHeat on social media and “robot” heat artwork by UK artists Ruskin Kyle and Andrew Rae, along with lesson plans providing some fun activities to teach kids about climate risk and resilience from their heroes, and including the Red Cross Weather Together content about extreme heat in which they incorporated Taylor Swift and Green Day, to 3600 schools in the country. LCAW also produced an art & climate change event in the Poles at the Royal Geological Society and incorporated Heat Action Day messaging in LCAW messaging.
• British Red Cross published a new webpage on vulnerable groups providing bespoke advice for each group, which they signposted to audiences via a quiz/poll on social media; posted a new social media explainer on how BRC supports during extreme heat and also some key advice; amplified relevant IFRC/Partner NS content; held a Heat Action Day event – a Climate Café in Inverness, Scotland led by their climate adaptation project manager who gave a talk on heat risk and carried out a “design your own fan” session as well as handing out BRC heatwaves checklists for attendees to take home with them. BRC also coordinated with the organizers of London Climate Action Week.
• The Portuguese Red Cross youth developed “#O meu Sol, Vive + o Verão” (My Sun, Live + Summer), a campaign to prevent excessive sun exposure and promote health among children and young people, taking place from the North to the South of the country. The aim was to raise awareness about sun protection and the importance of hydration during the summer in a fun way, through interventions in schools, swimming pools, river beaches, and other locations. They also launched a specific online campaign aimed at raising awareness about the specific precautions to take during heat waves.
• The Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan organised a series of activities aimed at raising public awareness and promoting health and safety of children and adults, to mark World Children’s Day (June 1) and Heat Action Day. Some examples:  every resident was able to take part in exciting competitions that not only entertain but also teach useful skills, such as information sessions and masterclasses on first aid, with the winners receiving hats to help protect themselves from the scorching sun. One of the highlights of the day was an exhibition of chalk drawings. Materials distributed were developed with technical support from the German Red Cross and financial support from the IFRC.