Seville hopes naming heatwaves can save lives

The city of Seville has announced plans to become the first major city in the world to begin naming heatwaves.

The city of Seville has announced plans to become the first major city in the world to begin naming heatwaves, the same way tropical storms are categorized by names in other parts of the world.

This is due to begin in 2022.

The Mayor of Seville Juan Espadas said in a statement on Monday, October 18, that he is proud that Seville will be taking this step, hoping that other cities around the world will also take on the idea.

The city is one of the hottest regions in Spain.

Espadas said: “Extreme heatwaves are becoming more frequent and devastating as a direct effect from climate change. Local governments should address the threat heat poses to our populations, particularly the most vulnerable, by raising awareness of heat-health related hazards through evidence-based data and science.”

The city will be collaborating with the Atlantic Council, Spain’s meteorological agency, the Spanish Agency for Climate Change and two universities to come up with a system.

The categorising of heatwaves will be based on the impact they have on health and will also assist the city’s disaster and emergency planning.

If a heatwave is tanked as especially hot and dangerous to health, categorising it would lead to Seville opening more air conditioning shelters or adding extra staff in emergency rooms in hospitals.

Climate change is worsening and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, heat is the biggest weather-related killer in the US. This year, around 800 people are thought to have died in the Pacific Northwest due to a heatwave.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.