Europe 1 with AFP 13:30 pm, June 08, 2023

After a summer of 2022 marked by several heat waves, the government has presented 15 measures to deal with the risks of this summer. Especially since summers could be hotter and hotter by 2050. Since 2000, these heat waves have been in France five times more frequent than before 1989 and they will be twice as numerous within 30 years.

"Anticipate, inform, protect": the government presented Thursday 15 measures to deal with the risk of summer heat waves after a summer 2022 marked by several heat waves. "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, stressing that they affect "all aspects of our economy and daily life" such as health, work, social and cultural life, natural resources, forests, etc.

Since 2000, these heat waves have been in France five times more frequent than before 1989 and they will be twice as numerous within 30 years. In this respect, 2022 was quite emblematic of this trend with more than 1,500 local heat records broken, 33 days of heat wave between early June and late August and the earliest heat wave ever recorded between 15 and 19 June.

Government campaign for the general public

To cope, the State 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.

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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.

The electricity network operators "RTE and Enedis will strengthen from the summer of 2023 the means of surveillance and intervention by deploying emergency teams during heat waves and drought to avoid power cuts," also says the government.

Communal registers for vulnerable people

Vulnerable people will be encouraged to register on communal registers set up since the 2003 heat wave so that they can be informed and helped in case of excessive heat. Annual inspections of school buildings, including examination rooms, will also be carried out.

On the business side, a guide on measures and work to improve the temperature in offices will be put in place, while labour inspection controls will be intensified in the sectors most vulnerable to heat-related risks.

Finally, a census of cultural and sporting events, also subject to climatic hazards, will be carried out in each department in order to encourage them to adapt their organization in the event of a heat wave. In case of high risks, the prefects may have to postpone or cancel them.