A knowledge fair focusing on climate change and heatwaves in Honduras
October 23, 2024
As a follow-up to the implementation of the communication strategy, a knowledge fair was held with a focus on climate change and heat waves. This is an educational and participatory event designed to raise community awareness of global and local environmental challenges and possible solutions with the aim of increasing public awareness and encouraging community action in the face of one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
Information stands were set up by the following institutions: ADEPES, Pumas Verdes-UNAH volunteers, national police, Climate Change Coalition and the CoCHAP Technical Team. This is to provide informative and educational materials that address climate change and heat waves from different perspectives. The objective is to provide information on this issue and its causes and effects, emphasising the phenomenon of heat waves and their effects on human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. It also trained students and the general population to take measures to adapt to this threat.
Students from two schools aged between 11 and 12 years old participated in the event. The students were divided into four groups and rotated to be in each stand to learn more about the actions that each institution is taking in terms of climate change.
During the fair, the students were asked to share their understanding of the word ‘heat ‘. They associated it with a range of physical symptoms such as excessive sweating, headaches, dizziness, fainting, thirst, sunburn, and skin spots. This demonstrated their awareness of the effects of high temperatures and the need for measures to mitigate them.
They were told about the importance of taking measures in the face of high temperatures, such as hydration, using sunscreen and sun filters, wearing loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing and being aware of vulnerable groups in the event of any symptoms or anything abnormal.
Participants: Climate change coalition, National Community Police, ADEPES, Volunteers Pumas Verdes- UNAH, Educational Centre Dionisio de Herrera, Educational Centre Tomasa P Bennedetto.