heat and media v109

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:** I’ve noticed that despite extreme heat becoming a serious health threat, it rarely makes big headlines or gets deep media coverage. Why is heat risk such a tough story for journalists? *"Heat. It’s something many of us take for granted until it pushes past the point of comfort and becomes dangerous. Extreme heat is now a global challenge—affecting our health, our cities, our work, and even our food systems. Our team at Egreenews was recently looking at the GIJN Guide to Investigating Extreme Heat, and it really struck me how many different angles there are for journalists to dig into. For example, the medical impacts go far beyond sunburn and dehydration. We’re talking heat exhaustion, heat stroke, mental health issues, and increased strain on people with conditions like asthma or heart problems. Some of the most vulnerable—pregnant women, the elderly, or those with pre-existing conditions—are at the greatest risk, yet their stories are often overlooked. It also raises tough questions about preparedness: Are our hospitals and governments really ready for sudden surges in heat-related illness? And what about regions that never considered themselves “hot spots” before? Then there’s the human side of daily life. Outdoor workers, delivery drivers, and people in informal jobs often face the heat head-on, sometimes without the protections they deserve. And the inequalities here are clear—low-income communities and minorities often bear the brunt, with fewer resources for cooling. Even issues like domestic safety are tied up in this. Heat doesn’t stop with people either—it hits agriculture, damaging crops and livestock, and disrupts infrastructure like transportation systems and power grids. Cities are scrambling to adapt, from planting trees to setting up cooling centers, while athletes, schools, and event organizers face new risks just trying to keep activities safe. The guide also highlights innovations worth paying attention to—cooling technologies, shade structures, green infrastructure, even heat insurance—as communities search for solutions. But with every innovation comes new challenges, like increased energy demand. All of this is a reminder: extreme heat isn’t just a weather story, it’s a public health story, a labor story, an inequality story, and a resilience story. And the more we report on these layers, the better equipped we’ll be to push for change. **Avatar 1:** What about the way stories are framed? Did the study discuss that? **Avatar 2:** Yes, many agreed that **avoiding the “doom and gloom” narrative is crucial**. Audiences tend to disengage if stories are constantly negative. Instead, storytelling that **centres on solutions, practical tips, and human experiences** resonates better. One interviewee shared that focusing on **people at higher risk** and telling **local community stories** helps with credibility and engagement. Also, peer-led networks and including voices with **lived and living experience**—especially from communities facing social challenges—are powerful ways to connect with audiences. **Avatar 1:** Were Indigenous experts mentioned? **Avatar 2:** Yes! Having a **multilingual roster of spokespeople**, including **Indigenous experts**, helps ensure messaging is timely, culturally respectful, and trusted in diverse communities. Experts should be encouraged to avoid jargon and communicate clearly. An interviewee said, *“Regional storytelling works in community because there’s more credibility and trust. Having the right experts from Indigenous communities to speak to this in a good way is key.”* **Avatar 1:** That really highlights how important inclusive and relatable reporting is. What about education and combating misinformation? **Avatar 2:** That’s another vital piece. Journalists want quick access to **reliable climate science resources** and support from communication professionals through workshops or webinars. These help reporters provide **accurate, myth-busting information** that isn’t biased or overwhelming. Interviewees also recommended that communication professionals **uphold ethical standards** for transparency, actively flag misinformation, and promote trust in science. For example, one said, *“There’s a piece here for communication pros to sign codes of ethics to understand the consequences of not acting in a good way.”* **Avatar 1:** So building media literacy and trust goes hand in hand with better reporting. **Avatar 2:** Exactly. It’s about empowering journalists with knowledge and tools, which in turn protects communities by fostering informed dialogue and responsible coverage. **Avatar 1:** Overall, it sounds like having better resources, respectful storytelling, and strong ethics are key to improving heat-health communication. **Avatar 2:** Absolutely. As extreme heat events become more frequent and severe, these solutions can help media professionals share timely, relatable, and actionable information that saves lives. If you’d like, I can help you create versions geared toward policymakers, journalist training, or community education based on these findings. Just let me know! 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! Avatar 2: Yeah, thanks so much for sticking with us! ¡Hasta luego, everybody! Catch you all next time Avatar 1: stay cool out there!