Low cost cooling for vulnerable communities on sports V99

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:** Did you know playing sports on very hot artificial fields can really increase the risk of heat stress? **Avatar 2:** Yeah, I heard those surfaces get way hotter than natural grass. The structures around the field can trap heat too, right? **Avatar 1:** Exactly. That creates a local hot microclimate, making athletes sweat more and heat up faster. **Avatar 2:** So how can players protect themselves during exercise? **Avatar 1:** There are strategies they can use before and during play. It depends on the sport’s structure, though. **Avatar 2:** How so? **Avatar 1:** Some sports like tennis have short but frequent breaks where athletes can use quick cooling methods—like applying ice towels or cold water sprays that can be put on and taken off fast. **Avatar 2:** What about sports like soccer, where the play is more continuous with just one long halftime? **Avatar 1:** In those cases, the main chance is during the halftime break to cool down aggressively, like using ice baths or cold towels. **Avatar 2:** How important is hydration in all this? **Avatar 1:** Super important. Losing more than 2% of body weight from sweat increases the risk of serious heat illness. Players need to drink enough to avoid that degree of dehydration. **Avatar 2:** Are there any official recommendations for safety during hot weather? **Avatar 1:** Yes, the American College of Sports Medicine says having fast-access emergency cooling facilities—like ice baths—on site during hot events can be lifesaving. **Avatar 2:** That sounds critical. Is it enough to just prep during the game or practice? **Avatar 1:** Not really. Athletes should also *gradually* adapt to the heat over 1 to 2 weeks. Daily exposure with slowly increasing effort and if needed, lighter clothing or less protective gear helps the body get used to heat stress. **Avatar 2:** So it’s like training your body to handle the heat better? **Avatar 1:** Exactly. That process is called heat acclimatization. **Avatar 2:** What if it’s just too hot to play safely? **Avatar 1:** Then play should be suspended or even canceled. The acceptable level of heat stress depends on the competition level—professional athletes might handle more than kids or recreational players. **Avatar 2:** But aren’t professional games scheduled mainly based on TV and sponsors? **Avatar 1:** Yes, scheduling often prioritizes commercial interests, which can complicate decisions about heat safety. Still, athlete health should come first. **Avatar 2:** It really sounds like managing heat stress in sports needs careful planning—not just during play but in preparation and with safety measures ready. **Avatar 1:** Exactly. Combining gradual heat adaptation, hydration, cooling breaks, emergency cooling setups, and sensible scheduling helps keep athletes safe and performing their best. **Avatar 2:** Thanks for breaking that down. It’s important everyone understands how serious heat stress can be in sports. **Avatar 1:** Anytime. Keeping cool during sport isn’t just about comfort—it can save lives. 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! Adaptation measures alone will become increasingly insufficient to protect communities from the escalating 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

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