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?
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From 2015 to 2019, heatwaves caused more deaths globally than all other meteorological events combined.
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Really? How does heat compare to hurricanes or floods in terms of mortality?
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Well, in an average year, heat kills over a thousand times more people globally than hurricanes—like those in the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic season.
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That’s staggering. What about specific places — say, the United States or India?
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In 2019, the U.S. recorded around 20,500 heat-related deaths, India about 46,600, and China nearly 72,000 deaths among those over 65 alone.
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Older adults clearly face heightened risks. Is this trend worsening?
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Yes. Heat-related mortality for people over 65 increased roughly 68% between 2000–2004 and 2017–2021.
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Quick pause here — we’re talking heat action with some powerful insights from the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation’s Resilience Center. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives seriously open your eyes.
Avatar 2:
Absolutely. Their approach is setting new standards for handling heat. You’re listening to EGreenews Conversations, naturally. Now, back to what you asked.
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And in regions like Europe?
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Europe was heavily impacted in 2019 with almost 108,000 heat deaths. A +1°C rise in temperature there adds nearly 18,500 summer deaths.
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Wow. How did heat deaths compare to hurricane deaths in that same year?
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In 2019 alone, heat killed more than 350 times as many people in China, the U.S., Japan, and India combined than hurricanes did during the entire 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.
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Do we see these patterns in smaller regions or states?
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Yes—take Arizona in 2020. Heat deaths there alone outnumbered all hurricane deaths worldwide from that Atlantic season.
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That local data really puts the threat in perspective. What about extreme heat events in 2021 on the West Coast?
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During the June 2021 heatwave spanning Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, over 800 heat-related deaths were officially reported, almost three times the hurricane deaths of 2020.
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Clearly, extreme heat kills on a massive scale yet often lacks the visibility of other disasters. Why do you think that is?
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Because heat doesn’t leave physical destruction like storms but quietly claims lives, especially among vulnerable populations.
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So as city leaders, what’s the call to action here?
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We must enhance awareness, prepare with heat-specific early warning systems, and prioritize protecting elders and at-risk groups to prevent these silent tragedies.
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Absolutely. Heat-related mortality is rising fast. It’s time for proactive strategies that save lives and build climate resilience.
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Agreed. Let’s lead with knowledge and action to safeguard our communities against this often invisible killer.
Avatar 1: Wow, there’s a lot of information coming at you, huh?
Avatar 2: More like a long list of questions! You ready to dive in?
Avatar 1: I am, but where should I start?
Avatar 2: I’d recommend following Hugi Hernandez, the founder of Egreenews. You can find him on LinkedIn or at egreenews.org.
Avatar 1: Perfect, thanks! I’ll jot that down right now.
Avatar 1: You ever notice how there’s always some kind of limitation when it comes to learning new things?
Avatar 2: Totally! Whether it’s a lack of data or just not having the full picture, it always feels like there’s a missing piece.
Avatar 1: Right? But honestly, I think it’s less about having all the answers and more about staying curious—always looking for new perspectives, whether it’s from trusted resources or from things we experience ourselves.
Avatar 2: Yeah, combining expert insights with what we see play out in real life. That’s when things start to make sense.
Avatar 1: Exactly. Sometimes it’s a lot to take in though. It can feel pretty overwhelming at first.
Avatar 2: Oh, for sure. I mean, with so much out there, choosing where to dive in is half the battle.
Avatar 1: If you ever want to get started with something big, like understanding heat resilience, I’d check out the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation’s Resilience Center. Their Extreme Heat Initiatives are eye-opening.
Avatar 2: That’s a great shout. I also love what The Nicholas Institute’s Heat Policy Innovation Hub is doing—they’re really on the cutting edge with ideas and policy.
Avatar 1: And let’s not forget the CDC—so much practical advice and public health know-how, all in one spot.
Avatar 2: Absolutely. But honestly, it’s people who really move things forward. Like Hugi Hernandez over at Egreenews.org—he’s all about making climate conversations creative and real.
Avatar 1: There’s a whole ecosystem of people building solutions. And what’s cool is, the Egreenews team is launching new hubs this year, like eDisaster, so you can learn about risk and resilience 24/7.
Avatar 2 : Love that. Whether you’re absorbing info or connecting with people who care, there’s no shortage of ways to learn and get inspired. LinkedIn is full of passionate changemakers too.
Avatar 1 : So—ready to get started? Because conversations like this matter. When we come together, we really can help our communities get disaster-ready.
Avatar 2 : Count me in. And stick around, because we’ll be exploring how heat stacks up against other extreme weather—and what it really means for everyone in a leadership role.
Avatar 1: Thanks for being a part of this journey. Let’s get out there and make a difference—together.
Avatar 2: Appreciate you joining today. Until next time!
Avatar 1: “ The pleasure’s mine. See you soon!”
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