Turkey's Heat-Health Action Plans Report Released

Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center Climate Change Studies Coordinator Dr. Ümit Şahin unveiled the report "Heat Waves: Growing Threat from Climate Change and Health Action Plans." Şahin said, "In Turkey as well, the necessary work should be initiated as soon as possible by competent authorities, in cooperation with local administrations, universities, professional and expert organizations and civil society, and starting from pilot provinces to prepare Heat-Health Action Plans at the provincial and regional levels." Dr. Ümit Şahin, Climate Change Studies Coordinator at Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center, who presented the "Heat Waves: Growing Threat from Climate Change and Health Action Plans" report, stated that "In Turkey as well, the necessary work should be initiated as soon as possible by competent authorities, in cooperation with local administrations, universities, professional and expert organizations and civil society, and starting from pilot provinces to prepare Heat-Health Action Plans at the provincial and regional levels."

Noting that the responsibility for taking public health measures and warning the public about what should be done during heat waves rests with Governorships, Provincial Health Directorates and Local Administrations, Şahin said, "Heat Health Action Plans must be prepared before heat waves begin.

To carry out this preparation, determining city or region-specific heat wave warning thresholds is a priority need. Alarms for mild, moderate and severe heat waves should be specified (such as yellow, orange, red alert). Additionally, using satellite data and local demographic data, it should be determined in which neighborhoods of the city at-risk groups (elderly, poor, inadequate housing, etc.) are concentrated. Furthermore, using Geographic Information Systems, tracking systems can be created with maps that will closely monitor and alert at-risk groups," he said. Pointing out that it is vital to take measures in the longer term to reduce the impact of urban heat islands that aggravate the problem against the negative effects of heat waves that will increasingly occur with global climate change, Şahin stated, "Preventing further concrete expansion, protecting surrounding forests and urban forests, protecting and increasing urban green spaces, creating areas covered with soil and plants that will provide cooling including medians, sidewalks, tramway paths, roofs and vertical areas, using trees and other elements that create shade on roads and common-use areas can be counted among the long-term measures to be taken. However, the most decisive factor is emphasizing the planning of urban structures, roads and common-use areas in accordance with the scientific principles of urban planning and urban design to provide thermal comfort" he explained.

Climate Change: The Greatest Global Threat of the Century

Drawing attention to the direct and indirect effects of global climate change on public health, Şahin said, "The results of global temperature rise that directly affect human health are extreme heat, floods, storms, forest fires and drought. Indirect effects that lead to significant public health problems are the spread of vector-borne diseases, diseases due to air pollution, water scarcity and threats to food security, malnutrition and hunger, displacement and migration, and deterioration of mental health. Global greenhouse gas emissions resulting from economic activities, particularly energy production and industry, continue to increase. The 2.7 percent increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels in 2018 compared to the previous year, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration exceeding 415 ppm in 2019, the highest level in the last 3.5 million years, and global average temperatures rising 1°C compared to pre-industrial levels show that all problems resulting from global warming will continue to increase in the coming years. This situation requires increasing resilience to the effects of climate change and giving special attention to health impacts in the adaptation field," he said.

Turkey Has No Heat Wave Warning System

Emphasizing that the direct increase in the number of illnesses and deaths caused by heat in many countries, including Turkey, is of primary importance for these studies and monitoring work, Şahin said, "It is necessary to develop special warning systems for days defined as heat waves and to ensure that the public, public administration and health services are prepared for these periods. In fact, the number, duration and intensity of heat waves in Turkey have increased significantly over the last 50 years, especially since 1998. According to research conducted by the Directorate General of Meteorology, if no measures are taken, the number of days with heat waves due to climate change will increase by an average of 78 days per year by the end of the 21st century. In Turkey as well, heat wave definitions need to be made and warning thresholds determined based on long-term meteorological statistics specific to cities and/or regions and on the health effects of heat," he said. Noting the importance of education and awareness work to be conducted before the warmest period of the summer begins, Şahin said, "The primary responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health in developing and protecting public health and within the framework of preventive medicine. Cooperation by public institutions, local administrations, universities and civil society, hospitals and emergency services being prepared for increased admissions during heat waves, family physicians, emergency physicians and other healthcare workers being informed about heat waves and their effects are essential," he said.