Killer Heat: Confronting Disproportionate Impacts on Women and Girls

Extreme heat kills more people per year than any other climate disaster. It preys on the poor, exacerbates racial inequalities, and there is a growing body of evidence that shows women and girls are increasingly susceptible to heat-health effects. Globally, women and girls represent 80% of climate refugees. They are more likely to be displaced, suffer violence and die in natural disasters. As temperatures rise, children’s test scores decrease, gender violence increases, and miscarriage rates go up. But preventing heat deaths is possible. From Europe to Africa, Chief Heat Officers throughout the world are implementing projects to make cities more climate-adaptive.

Guests:

Kathy Baughman McLeod, Director, Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center; Senior VP, Atlantic Council

Eleni Myrivili, Global Chief Heat Officer, UN Habitat

Eugenia Kargbo, Chief Heat Officer, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Freelance piece from Hellen Kabahukya on mud wattle construction in Uganda

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