France: Government presents heatwave plan to deal with heat waves

30 degrees are expected this Thursday, June 8, temperatures still above normal season. On the eve of summer, the Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, presents his heatwave plan to deal with heat waves in fifteen flagship actions.

In France, 30 degrees are expected this Thursday, June 8, temperatures still above normal season. (Illustrative image) © Creative commons

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With this heatwave plan, the France is trying to catch up by taking inspiration from other European countries or even Japan. Since the historic heat wave of 2003, only two precautions existed: the installation of refreshed rooms in Ehpad (residential facilities for dependent elderly people) and the registration for vulnerable people in the communal registers. It was therefore time to announce a real strategy, since only 5% of vulnerable people registered on these communal registers. So, to ensure their good health, Christophe Béchu announces mobilizing the young people of the Universal National Service (SNU) and the postmen of La Poste to knock on their doors and raise awareness.

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We need to change gears on climate change adaptation " said the Minister of Ecological Transition. "The effects of global warming are already at work in France" and "the increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves by 2050 is inevitable," says the Ministry of Ecological Transition in its presentation document, stressing that they affect "all aspects of our economy and daily life" such as health, work, social and cultural life, natural resources, forests, etc.

And among the novelties of this plan: the creation of a guide for employers on the behaviors to adopt in the middle of a heat wave. If it is too hot, some by-laws that prevent work at early hours will be cancelled to let workers work in acceptable temperatures.

Prevention messages and a campaign on "good actions" to adopt

By heat wave, understand an average temperature of 25 degrees for an entire day. We have known ten a year on average for thirty years. But the summer of 2022, heralding the coming decades, broke a record with 33 heat waves for the months of July and August.

The state also plans a public campaign, indicating the work and behaviors to have within its housing, and the "right gestures" to prevent drowning or take care of its pets. A census of cool islands and fountains in the municipalities will be carried out and communicated to the population and prevention messages in transport and by SMS will be disseminated in case of hot weather. But Christophe Béchu is clear, one thing is certain, this heatwave plan will not be the last.

>> READ ALSO: Global warming could threaten the lives of two billion people

(

and with AFP)

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