Heat Action Day to Focus on Awareness of Extreme Temperature Risks

Churches Should Be Aware of Heat Risks

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UPDATED JUNE 1, 2024

Summertime for churches can be a season of more relaxed worship, fun outdoor activities and the ever-popular ice cream social. Thanks to the global climate crisis, however, summer is now a time of extreme heat that threatens the health of many in church and community.

"Heat Action Day" on June 2 will focus on awareness of how extreme heat affects both humans and the environment. Founded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network, the observance aims to prepare individuals and communities to #BeatTheHeat.

In advance of the event, Climate Central issued a new report on the global effects of extreme heat. For example, last year was the hottest year on record since humans began burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil in the 19th century.

Climate Central's report notes:

  • The relentless rise in heat-trapping pollution (primarily from burning oil, coal, and natural gas) is making spells of dangerous heat hotter, longer, and more frequent across the globe. 
  • More frequent extreme heat is not only an indicator of climate change — it’s also one of the most serious health risks in our warming climate. 
  • Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., claiming more than 200 lives last year. 
  • Exposure to extreme heat can cause heat-related illness including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and even fatal medical emergencies such as heat stroke. 

According to a press release, "ahead of Heat Action Day, a new report from scientists at the World Weather Attribution initiative, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and Climate Central assessed the influence of human-caused climate change on dangerous heat waves over the past 12 months (May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024). Read the report: Climate Change and the Escalation of Global Extreme Heat: Assessing and Addressing the Risks."

The  report "assessed the influence of climate change on dangerous heat waves around the world over the past 12 months (May 15, 2023 to May 15, 2024). 

"Over this period, human-caused climate change boosted dangerous heat waves for billions, and made these events longer and more likely," the press release said. "Over the 12-month period, 6.3 billion people (about 78% of the global population) experienced at least 31 days of extreme heat (above the 90th percentile) that was made at least two times more likely due to human-caused climate change ....

"This report demonstrates that dangerous heat waves are: widespread; made longer and more likely by human-caused climate change; and often have under-reported impacts on health, agriculture, water supplies, and more," said the press release.

The IFRC urges individuals and community organizations such as churches to be aware of the risks of extreme heat and take simple precautions to protect family, friends and neighbors. Among the suggested actions:

  • Drinking plenty of water rather than coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks or sodas.
  • Resting in the shade several times during outdoor events.
  • Avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, even such activities as swimming.

Older persons, children, and people with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and auto-immune disorders are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Heat.gov, a website for the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, defines heat-related illnesses as follows:

  • Heat Cramps - Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat. What to look for: heavy sweating, muscle pains or spasms Actions to take: stop physical activity and move to a cooler place, drink water or a sports drink. Seek medical attention if cramps last longer than one hour,
  • Heat Exhaustion - Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim's condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.
  • Heat Stroke - A life-threatening condition. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. A person who is experiencing heat stroke needs medical attention.

In addition to preparing for extreme heat events, individuals and community organizations such as churches are encouraged to raise awareness of high temperature risks through social media. The IFRC suggests using the hashtag #BeatTheHeat to identify posts for Heat Action Day.

The Rev. Richenda Fairhurst, a United Methodist clergywoman active in Fossil Free UMC and the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, offered observations on churches' importance to coping with extreme heat.

"One thing people of faith can think about when it comes to rising heat is, what can the church do?" Fairhurst said in an email.  "What are the ways that the faith community can come alongside their neighbors to provide comfort in times of heat stress, and what are the ways we can urge our policymakers both locally and more broadly to take the urgent action we need to stop burning fossil fuels. 

"To just stick with the challenge of the heat right now, churches can build resilience in a lot of important ways. One of those ways is to look at becoming a resilience hub. That same sun that is now shining all too brightly onto our earth where the heat gets trapped, these solar rays can also power solar panels. Our churches can transform into resilience centers where solar brings the power needed to air conditioning and refrigeration for medications in order to bring immediate care and comfort to those most in need during a heatwave. This would include the elderly of course, but also pregnant mothers, small children, and anyone trapped outside, such as our homeless folks, or folks who are living in housing that does not have any kind of air cooling relief.

"We can also look at resilience center work that can both address the delayed maintenance at many churches by repairing and rebuilding with climate-ready infrastructure. Churches can be re-built with passive cooling structural elements, trees can be planted on the church property to provide shade and cooling, and we can think ahead about the needs of the people who might come for shelter to include plenty of water and hydrating drinks.

"So in a nutshell, there is so much that a faith community can do. Resourcing for these efforts is already available in many states. We can lift prayers and take action to get resourcing as well through our denomination to support those churches who seek to be ready for cooling and other readiness ministries that we need everywhere right now."

Veteran religion journalist Cynthia B. Astle has covered The United Methodist Church at all levels since 1988. She serves as editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011 as a media channel for marginalized and under-served United Methodists.