How to Stay Cool on a Hotter Planet: Building Resilience in the Age of Relentless Heatwaves
As extreme heat grips regions across the globe, communities, cities, and individuals are rethinking how we live, work, and design in a warming world. Here’s how we can adapt, and thrive.
The Age of Heatwaves Is Here
The world just recorded its hottest 12 months in history. From scorching streets in Delhi to sweltering nights in Phoenix, heatwaves are no longer anomalies, they’re the new reality. And right now, as June 2025 comes to a close, this global reality is playing out in real time.
In Athens, temperatures have soared past 40°C (104 °F), forcing authorities to halt outdoor work and open cooling centers to protect the most vulnerable.
In the UK, cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham are bracing for highs above 34°C (93 °F), with the NHS issuing amber health alerts.
Across the Eastern U.S., heat emergencies have been declared in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., where temperatures are topping 38°C (100 °F), even overnight.
In every case, health systems, energy grids, and vulnerable communities are under strain. But this crisis also brings clarity: we must build resilience FAST. And we already have many of the tools to do it.
How Cities Are Reimagining Urban Cooling
Cities act like heat traps. Layers of concrete, asphalt, and glass soak up the sun and radiate it back into the streets and buildings, raising local temperatures dramatically. This “urban heat island” effect can make some neighbourhoods 7°C (13 °F) hotter than surrounding rural areas.
But forward-thinking cities are changing that:
Cool Roofs & Reflective Surfaces: Los Angeles, Athens, and Melbourne are coating rooftops in high-albedo paint to reflect rather than absorb sunlight.
Urban Greening: Singapore’s vertical gardens, Paris’s tree-lined boulevards, and Medellín’s “Green Corridors” show how plants can naturally cool entire districts.
Shaded Infrastructure: In cities like Seville, shaded walkways and fountains—drawn from ancient Moorish design—are being revived as natural climate control.
What we can do: Advocate for local tree planting programs, support green roof initiatives, and push for city planning that includes shaded public spaces and parks.
How Heatwaves Impact Our Bodies and Brains
Extreme heat doesn’t just cause discomfort, it can be deadly. In Europe alone, over 61,000 deaths were attributed to heat in 2023. High temperatures strain the heart, stress the kidneys, and reduce our brain’s ability to function. Nighttime heat, in particular, prevents the body from cooling down and recovering.
Key facts:
Vulnerable groups include the elderly, babies, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Mental health suffers too, studies show cognitive performance declines in overheated indoor environments. Numerous studies also show that younger people often experience increased anxiety during heatwaves, while older adults frequently struggle with depressive symptoms, as heat disrupts sleep and deepens stress.
What we can do: Stay hydrated, check on elderly neighbors, avoid exertion during peak hours, and ensure bedrooms are cool enough to sleep. Even simple measures - like moving to the lowest, shadiest room - can help.
How Homes and Workspaces Can Beat the Heat — Without More AC
As heatwaves become more frequent, many homes, especially in regions like the UK, are proving unfit for purpose. Designed to trap heat for winter efficiency, they now act like ovens in summer. Most homes lack ventilation, shading, and passive cooling features.
So, how do we adapt?
Use Thermal Curtains and Reflective Films: These block out the worst of the sun's rays during the day.
Time Your Ventilation: Open windows overnight to flush out hot air, and seal them before morning sun hits.
Fans + Water: Placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan can lower temperatures by several degrees.
Passive Design: Cross-ventilation, ceiling fans, and natural materials like clay and wood can reduce reliance on AC.
What we can do: Retrofit where possible. Install thermal blinds, plant trees for shade, and rethink layouts to prioritise airflow and comfort. Communities can lobby for grants to upgrade social housing with passive cooling in mind.
How Climate Justice Shapes Heat Resilience
Not everyone experiences heat equally. Low-income neighborhoods often have less green space, fewer cooling resources, and poorly insulated homes. Cooling must be equitable, not just efficient.
Around the world, new justice-driven programs are emerging:
Tree Equity Scores in the U.S. help cities target greening efforts in the hottest, most underserved communities.
Heat subsidies and free fan distribution programs are being launched in Toronto, Paris, and cities across India.
Cooling shelters are becoming essential public infrastructure, especially for the elderly and unhoused.
What we can do: Support policies that prioritize heat protection for the most vulnerable, and push for local governments to fund equitable climate resilience.
How Technology and Early Warnings Can Save Lives
Climate-smart technology is giving cities and individuals a head start in the fight against extreme heat:
Heat Risk Forecasting: Real-time alerts like those used across Europe and the U.S. help people plan and stay safe.
Smart Thermometers & Sensors: India’s urban heat monitoring systems track micro-level temperature changes across neighborhoods.
AI-Powered Urban Planning: Tools that simulate future climate scenarios are guiding investments in green infrastructure and emergency response.
What we can do: Sign up for heat alert systems where available, follow guidance during heat advisories, and support innovation in smart city tech.
From Emergency to Evolution: How We Reclaim Comfort
This heatwave — and let’s be honest, it won’t be the last — is a warning bell. It shows us where things aren’t built to cope with today’s extremes, but also where we have room to adapt and improve.
As temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, we need to rethink how we cool our homes, protect our communities, and keep daily life running safely. That means everything from planting more trees to upgrading buildings, redesigning public spaces, and making sure cooling isn’t a luxury but a basic need.
But adaptation alone isn’t enough. Unless we act to bring global carbon emissions down, the risks will only grow, and the heat will only intensify. To avoid a future where every summer becomes a survival challenge, we need both immediate action to stay safe now — and bold, systemic change to create a cooler, more liveable world ahead.
We can’t control the heat, but we can control how we respond to it. And by doing both —adapting smarter and preventing worse — we’re not just getting through the heat, we’re reshaping the future.
This is how we turn up resilience, without turning up the thermostat.