Latest news with #heatAwareness
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
How an innovative portable shelter could help India's outdoor workers beat the heat
BENGALURU, India — An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about how extreme heat is endangering the health and livelihoods of the country's outdoor workforce. It comes amid a shift in India toward greater awareness of climate-related issues in recent years.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
How an innovative portable shelter could help India's outdoor workers beat the heat
BENGALURU, India (AP) — An innovative portable shelter recently exhibited in one of India's largest cities shows how smart, cheap ways to help workers escape the heat are gaining traction in a country that's particularly vulnerable to climate change-driven extreme temperatures. The Neralu shelter, winner of a design contest in the southern city of Bengaluru, was displayed at the Sweat and Concrete 2025 event in late May alongside a theatrical performance about heat impacts on outdoor workers and exhibits on heat-related studies. Organizer Kanishk Kabiraj said the aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about how extreme heat is endangering the health and livelihoods of the country's outdoor workforce. It comes amid a shift in India toward greater awareness of climate-related issues in recent years. 'We think that it's important to not only talk conceptually but to try and create models and proof of concept,' Kabiraj said. Neralu, which means shade in Kannada, the most common local language spoken in Bengaluru, consists of a lightweight frame that supports a shade, bench and angled slats operated by manual pulleys to fan people seated within. The shelter costs about $175 and is made of metal, fiber-reinforced plastic and plywood. Weighing roughly 15 kilograms (33 pounds), the shelter for up to four people can be installed on outdoor walls and easily disassembled and transported on the small motor vehicles known as tuk-tuks. 'This kind of shelter will be helpful for people like us who work outdoors,' said Madhe Gowda, a 62-year-old fruit seller who came to the exhibit. 'I sell fruits from my pushcart all day. When it's really hot, my fruits begin to rot and it becomes difficult for me to move around much.' Neralu beat 19 other entries in a contest for designing heat shelters for outdoor workers organized in Bengaluru last year. Ankritya Diggavi, one of the architects behind the design, said it was inspired by speaking to and observing outdoor workers. 'They have made their own makeshift measures using material like beach umbrellas and tarpaulin sheets,' Diggavi said. The designers said the Neralu shelter can be made of recycled and repurposed material from the auto industry or other businesses. They said the design has a lot of room to be modified according to local needs and available materials. 'We wanted something simple, affordable, and quick to assemble,' said Sagar Kandal, another one of the designers. They said they have received interest from both public and private organizations that want to purchase and install these shelters in the city. The Indian Meteorological Department has found the number of extreme heat days increasing in the city, which planning experts say is likely due to climate change and rapid urbanization. And with a rising number of Indian states designing heat and climate change adaptation plans, they said the shelter can work in any heat-stressed city that needs low-cost solutions. Tamanna Dalal, a researcher on heat policy at the New Delhi-based think tank Sustainable Futures Collaborative, said the way cities are built in India is resulting in urban heat islands, parts of cities with higher average temperatures than the surrounding areas. Shelters that take local climate factors into account and can be replicated easily will become 'supremely important' as heat worsens in the coming years, Dalal added. India is among the world's most vulnerable countries to climate impacts, with floods, heat waves and cyclones having resulted in 80,000 deaths and economic losses nearing $180 billion from 1993 to 2022. According to the International Labor Organization, India stands to lose up to 34 million jobs due to increasing heat by 2030. P. Kumaravel, a 42-year-old construction worker who was at the event held over two days at the end of May, welcomed the idea of the shelter, but said good public transport and reliable health insurance are what workers like him need the most. 'This year's heat was really bad. I had rashes and pimples. We rest under a tree when we can, but we're paid to work, not to rest,' he said. 'A shelter is helpful, but it's not enough,' he said. ___ Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123 ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Tips for keeping your pets safe in the heat
The Ottawa Humane Society tells us how you can keep your friends cool. With summer approaching and high temperatures in the forecast, the Ottawa Humane Society is reminding pet owners about the importance of keeping pets safe from the heat. Sunny weather and highs approaching 30 degrees are in the forecast for Ottawa this week and that can lead to the possibility of heat-related illness and danger for our furry friends. 'Dogs die in hot cars,' said Ottawa Humane Society President & CEO Sharon Miko in a news release. 'Temperatures in vehicles rise extremely quickly — even with windows open. Pets can overheat, leading to brain damage and even death.' Ottawa Humane Society spokesperson Stephen Smith tells CTV Morning Live keeping pets out of cars is the most important thing to remember this time of year. 'When that temperature rises, one of the things we say, of course, is never leave your pet unattended in a hot car. That's just rule number one,' he said. 'Don't just leave the window open a crack. It's never just a couple of minutes. It only takes a very short time for your pet to be in serious danger in a hot car.' Smith says if you're going to be out and about, make sure you can bring your pet in the store with you. If you're going somewhere that doesn't allow pets, then the best place to leave them is safely at home. 'It doesn't even take that 30-plus degree weather. It can be even a mild day, and a car can still get too hot sitting in the sun,' he said. Walks Dogs still need regular exercise and outdoors time, even in the summer, but there are ways to keep them safe when it's hot, says Smith. 'The pavement might be a little bit hot for their paws, so what you can do is walk on the cooler grass to help keep them safe, or else take shorter walks in the morning and in the evening when the temperature cools down a bit,' he said. It's important to have water on hand to make sure pets can cool off. Tips for cats Cats can also suffer in the heat. The Ottawa Humane Society recommends keeping cats indoors. 'Number one for the Humane Society, we always say, keep your cats indoors, it's one of the safest places for them,' said Smith. 'If you do let your cat outside or if you like to walk them on a leash, you can apply some of the tips for the dogs. Make sure fresh water is available, make sure you can bring them in out of the heat, and if you're taking them for a walk, stick to the cool grass stick to the cooler temperatures of day.' Signs of heat exhaustion in pets Smith says to watch for signs your pet isn't feeling well. 'It's really about knowing your particular pets. Some will react great to the heat, they'll love a summer day, others will say I've had too much of this outdoors, please bring me inside,' he said. Signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke can include: Rapid heartbeat Heavy panting Lethargy Lack of coordination Weakness or muscle tremors Glazed eyes Convulsions Unconsciousness 'Of course, you want to make sure you have lots of fresh water on hand to help cool them down. Make sure you can bring them in out of the heat and, if they continue to show those signs, be ready to contact your veterinarian for help,' said Smith. Pets in trouble If you see a loose pet that appears to be in trouble, Smith says there are ways to help. 'Any dog who's on the loose needs help right away. If you're able to secure the dog, you can bring them safely to the Humane Society where we'll help reunite them with their owner,' he said. 'If you're not able to secure the dog, you can call 3-1-1 for some assistance.' The Ottawa Humane Society says if you see an animal alone in a vehicle with the owner nowhere in sight, dial 911.
