Heatwaves are a silent killer
HEATWAVES ARE A SILENT KILLER. Major heatwaves have caused more deaths since 1890 than busfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and severe storms combined.
IT'S HOT IN PARRAMATTA
CITIES ARE HOTTER THAN RURAL AREAS DUE TO THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
PARRAMATTA
has more hot days than Sydney
PEOPLE IMPACT
Periods of extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses:
- Dehydration
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
- Worsening of existing medical conditions
CITY IMPACT
Extreme heat:
- Damages electricity and transport infrastructure
- Increases need for air-conditioning which increases cost of living
- Increases peak energy demand, driving up infrastructure costs
- Increases the risk of power cuts
- Increases air pollution
HEATWAVES have been shown to dramatically increase patient presentation at hospitals
COST OF EXCESS HEAT in terms of work absenteeism to the Australian economy in 13/14 FY = $6.7 BILLION
INCREASED NIGHT TIME TEMPERATURES can have a considerable effect on human health as the body cannot recover from daytime extremes
WHO ARE MOST AT RISK?
IT'S GETTING WORSE
PARRAMATTA will get 1-5 more days obove 35C in near future (2020-2039)
WHAT CAN PARRAMATTA DO?
DELIVER BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE
- More shade structures
- Reflective/light coloured surfaces
- Materials that don't retain heat
- Water features
- Water refill stations/drinking fountains
GREEN OUR STREETS
Trees are essential to:- Provide shade
- Cool the air
- Reduce energy use
- Reduce wind speeds
- Regulate stormwater quantity and quality
- Remove air pollution
- Increase bioversity
PARTNERSHIPS
This infographic was funded by Western Sydney Local Health District as a partnership with the City of Parramatta