This summer, heatwaves and extreme heat with little overnight reprieve are on the cards for many Australians. Oppressive heat conditions will be felt across the country today, with two-thirds of Victoria under extreme fire conditions.
Climate pollution is rapidly turning up the heat and hitting both cities and regions, many will be impacted by even hotter days and nights and lethal heatwaves. The following spokespeople are available to comment and can offer practical tips on staying safe during extreme heat:
Dr Kate Wylie, can talk to the health impacts of extreme heat, including the physical and mental health effects and the impacts for keeping our workers and our kids safe. Heat can be lethal, heatwaves are becoming hotter, lasting longer and occurring more often due to climate pollution. Kate can provide tips on how the community can stay safe over summer. Location: Adelaide, SA.
Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate, can talk about the impact extreme heat made worse by climate pollution is having on families during summer months, including impacts on kids health and education outcomes, unplanned school and early childhood centre closures and concern over disrupted holiday plans at a time when children should be able to safely enjoy time outdoors. Location: Sydney, NSW
Amanda Lamont, co-founder of Australasian Women in Emergencies Network, volunteer firefighter and volunteer with Red Cross emergency services, can talk to the risks of extreme heat and how it kills more people than every other natural disaster combined, as well as disrupting infrastructure and things people rely on like public transport, adding even more stress. Amanda can talk from an emergency service response perspective. Location: Melbourne.
Emma Bacon, Executive Director and Founder of Sweltering Cities, works directly with communities in Australia’s hottest suburbs and can speak to the impact climate pollution is having on cities and communities. Emma can provide solutions to limit heat-related illness and death and make our cities more liveable in the face of climate change. Location: Sydney.
Associate Professor Grant Blashki, GP and Climate Council Fellow can talk about the physical and mental health impacts of hot weather, including how heat affects sleep and mental wellbeing. Grant Blashki is an Associate Professor in Global Health at the Nossal Institute for Global Health at the University of Melbourne he has co-authored over 140 peer reviewed publications and 9 books. His public health research focuses on climate change and mental health. Location: Melbourne.
Contact details:
For Dr Grant Blashki contact Jacqui Street, Climate Council media team, 0498 188 528 or jacqui.street@climatecouncil.org.au
For everyone else Jemimah Taylor 0478 924 425 or jemimah.taylor@climatemediacentre.org.au
