HEAT ON THE MEDIA V106

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? "Media. It has the power to shape how people understand risk and, just as importantly, how they respond to it. When it comes to extreme heat, the stories we tell can literally influence whether communities take protective steps or tune out. But a recent study based on conversations with media professionals and public health communicators shows it’s not easy. Journalists are facing real hurdles. For starters, **audience disengagement** is a challenge. Too much negative or repetitive coverage can lead people to switch off, even when the risks are rising. Then there are **resource constraints**—shrinking newsroom staff and budgets that make it harder to cover heat consistently and in depth. Another big one: **reaching diverse audiences**. If content isn’t multilingual, doesn’t reflect local experiences, or gets stuck behind social media algorithms, it misses the very groups often most vulnerable. And even when there’s a will to report, getting the right **data, experts, and visuals** can be tougher than it should be. Without those, stories risk downplaying or misrepresenting the seriousness of extreme heat. The encouraging part is that the study doesn’t just point to problems—it highlights solutions. Imagine if real-time, accessible platforms gave journalists a direct line to reliable data and expert voices. Or if newsrooms leaned into more solution-oriented, locally rooted storytelling that actually resonates with the communities most affected. Add in multilingual content, relatable local experts, and opportunities for training to strengthen climate literacy, and the picture looks very different. At the end of the day, covering extreme heat isn’t just about tracking temperatures—it’s about protecting public health and safety. The way we tell these stories matters, and with collaboration, better tools, and more inclusive approaches, media can play a crucial role in helping communities adapt. 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 and bye for now Avatar 2 : bye bye

Comments