heat and the media v113

Avatar 1: hellou there and Welcome to our EGreenNews Conversations.! Avatar 2: Pleasure to be here with you today. Avatar 1: What topics should we cover first? **Avatar 1:** You know, I just finished reading that fascinating article *“Seven lessons for journalism in the age of extreme heat”* from the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. It really opened my eyes to how complex and urgent covering heat has become. **Avatar 2:** Oh, I saw that one too! It’s such an important topic, especially as heatwaves become more frequent and deadly. What stood out most for you? **Avatar 1:** Well, right off the bat they called extreme heat a *“silent killer.”* Unlike floods or wildfires, heatwaves don’t produce dramatic visuals or immediate headlines. Dr. Eleni Myrivili, the Global Heat Officer at Atlantic Council and UN Habitat, pointed out how the real effects only become visible weeks or even months later — with deaths often registered as heart attacks or kidney failure. **Avatar 2:** Yeah, that was really striking. It means journalists have to be a bit like detectives, piecing together the story long after the heatwave passes. Plus, newsroom literacy about heat is crucial. They emphasized how newsrooms need to educate themselves about the impacts of heat and prepare to cover it more thoughtfully. **Avatar 1:** Exactly. They also mentioned great specialist resources — like the Global Heat Health Information Network and the World Weather Attribution teams — that journalists can turn to for guidance on reporting heat responsibly and effectively. **Avatar 2:** And really, the stories have to come from the people affected. Heat itself might be invisible, but its impact on lives isn’t. They said reporters should tell these human stories from homes, clinics, farms, and workplaces — bringing heat’s consequences to life. **Avatar 1:** Right, and heat isn’t just a weather story anymore. It touches on health, urban life, politics, sports, education—almost every beat. Surella Segú, the former Chief Heat Officer for Monterrey, Mexico, said journalists need to go beyond resilience talk and focus on regenerating cities with nature to combat heat. **Avatar 2:** That’s such a great point — it’s not just about coping with heat but rethinking how cities and societies operate. The article also talked about how cities like Athens take a multi-step approach for heat action: raising awareness, preparing with tools and data, then redesigning urban spaces to be cooler and more livable. **Avatar 1:** And newsrooms can do the same! Plan ahead just like they do for elections or major sports events. France Télévisions, for example, started preparing their coverage a whole year in advance after the record-breaking 2022 heatwave in Europe — even bringing IPCC scientists in to consult. **Avatar 2:** But the reporters covering extreme heat don’t just face intellectual challenges — physical ones too. The article shared stories like Dipanita Nath from India, who suffered heat stroke while reporting, and Nhung Nguyen, a Vietnamese freelancer who almost fainted during intense heat on assignment. **Avatar 1:** That really highlighted a long-neglected issue: journalist safety during extreme heat. In many outlets, there are few protocols to protect reporters from heat stress, even though it clearly affects their well-being and ability to do their job. **Avatar 2:** Plus, the article mentioned technical challenges, like equipment overheating on set or in the field. Simple things like batteries failing early due to heat can make covering a story much harder. **Avatar 1:** On the storytelling side, the authors emphasized moving away from “doom and gloom” narratives — which turn people off — toward solutions and hope. They shared Amy Steel’s story about suffering from heat stroke as a professional athlete, which made the issue real and relatable. **Avatar 2:** That was powerful. Human stories like hers — or of tea workers in Bangladesh, delivery drivers in Paraguay — really bring the ripple effects of heat into focus. Heat impacts everyone, no matter their background or job. **Avatar 1:** They also pointed out how heat influences everything: agriculture, energy demand, sports, politics, even education. Reporters in all desks — from travel to photojournalism to election coverage — need to incorporate heat as a factor now. **Avatar 2:** And importantly, we have to think about journalists themselves. The article talked about how newsrooms often lack heat-specific safety training and guidelines. Simple steps like reporting during cooler parts of the day, taking breaks, or filming at night can make a huge difference. **Avatar 1:** That kind of planning isn’t common yet, but it has to be. Otherwise we’re risking the health of the very people telling these crucial stories. **Avatar 2:** Absolutely. The article ended on a sober but necessary note — extreme heat will keep shaping our societies and journalism work. It’s not a niche or occasional phenomenon anymore. It’s everywhere, and covering it means everyone in the newsroom has a role. **Avatar 1:** Yeah, as adaptation expert Aditya Valiathan Pillai said, heat is *“an every-sector-of-the-economy problem.”* From local streets in Rio to parisian urban parks, no place is spared. That means heat needs to be part of the core fabric of journalism today and tomorrow. **Avatar 2:** It’s a call for preparation, knowledge, empathy, and collaboration — so journalists can inform, protect, and empower communities in a warming world. **Avatar 1:** I couldn’t agree more. This article is a great guide and reminder that covering extreme heat is one of the defining challenges of climate journalism. Avatar 1 So much info coming your way, huh? Avatar 2 Actually, it’s more like a bunch of questions! Ready to get started? Avatar 1 Yeah, but how exactly should I begin? Avatar 2 Try following Hugi Hernandez, the founder of Egreenews. You might find him on LinkedIn or at egreenews dot org. Avatar 1 : Thanks for sharing that! I will write it down today! **Avatar 1:** It does, and ongoing research like this is essential for developing evidence-based policies and protections. The more we understand, the better we can safeguard both mothers and newborns from climate-related health risks. Avatar 1: Ever notice there’s always a catch to learning new stuff? Avatar 2: For sure! Not enough data, not the whole story—always missing something. Avatar 1: True, but it’s more about curiosity—finding new views from experts or what we experience. Avatar 2: Yep, mixing expert advice with real life makes it click. Avatar 1: It can get overwhelming, though. Avatar 2: Definitely. With so much out there, picking a place to start is tough. Avatar 1: If you want to dig into heat resilience, check the Climate Central and of course the work from the UNITED NATIONS! Avatar 2: Great call. I’m a fan of The and the World Weather Attribution—super innovative. Avatar 1: And the as well as the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre has loads of helpful heat safety info. Avatar 2: Right, but people move things forward. Like Hugi Hernandez at Egreenews.org—he keeps climate talk creative. Avatar 1: There’s a whole network building solutions. Egreenews is launching new hubs, like eDisaster, so you can learn risk and resilience 24/7. Avatar 2: That’s awesome. Whether learning or connecting, there’s inspiration everywhere. LinkedIn’s packed with changemakers too. Avatar 1: So—want to start? These talks matter. Together, we prep our communities for disaster. Avatar 2: I’m in. Stick around—we’ll compare heat with other weather and what that means for leaders. Avatar 1: Hey, seriously, gracias a montón for being here today — really means a lot!