Roofer working on a house in high temperatures earlier this year. Image: DPA/PA Images Roofer working on a house in high temperatures earlier this year. Image: DPA/PA Images AS TEMPERATURES SOAR over the coming days in heatwave conditions, closing blinds or curtains in times of direct sunlight are among the actions householders can take to deal with the heat while indoors.
Professor of planning at University College Dublin Mark Scott said there should be a renewed focus to adapt buildings to the warming effects of climate change alongside the focus on energy-efficiency. He said this risk of heat stress is going to be faced more in years to come, particularly in cities, so “we need to deal with this now rather than wait for the future until the risks get much greater”.
But single-aspect apartments – those with windows facing only in one direction – can get very warm and be difficult to cool down. Prof Scott authored a 2019 EPA research report on built environment climate resilience and adaptation. Having more trees, green spaces and shaded areas in cities can help people cope with the high heat. This is important considering Ireland’s population is ageing and older people are more vulnerable to heat stress.Short-term solutions such as utilising fans and air conditioning units are “an example of maladaptation”, Prof Scott said.
Stop the bloody drama
Heatwave = 5 days in a row + 25 degrees, that's 5 days, what are you trying to say we should rethink our building on account of a bit of warm weather, 7 heatwaves in 46 years you having a laugh or what!
Its not really an issue tbf, jaysus, how often do we get heat waves ffs. Most of the year its bloody cold.