Korean Expat Community for National Disasters

Good time of the day! As you already noticed, the topic of the podcast is the heat wave. We are in the middle of summer, and the sun is becoming harsher. The burning issue (literally) is of great importance since it affects our health, lifestyle, and planet. It is not just a hot day. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather — often accompanied by high humidity — that is unusual for a particular region. Heat waves used to be rare, but not anymore. Because of climate change, it occurs more often these days. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. That’s warming our planet — not evenly, but in waves, literally. We burn fossil fuels for energy, transportation, agriculture, and more. This adds heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, making the average temperature higher. Heat waves are more than just hot weather. It can cause serious health problems. Our bodies need to maintain a stable internal temperature. But in extreme heat, especially when it’s humid, we can’t cool down by sweating. That leads to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death. People often report stress, irritability, and poor quality of sleep during that period. Besides that, it affects the lifestyle and infrastructure. Imagine the whole city turning on air conditioners at the same time. It would cause power grids to fail and blackouts. In my home country, it is a very common case. In my experience and probably in yours too, this is not a desirable situation. The planet suffers too: plants wilt, crops will fail. To stay safe, remember to stay hydrated — water is your best friend. Avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, typically between 12 PM and 4 PM. Now, on a community or policy level, cities can invest in urban greening — planting trees, creating shaded areas, and using reflective building materials. And planners can design infrastructure to withstand higher temperatures. Some countries have been taking action. In South Korea, for example, heat waves have been classified as a natural disaster, meaning the government can now allocate emergency funds and issue nationwide alerts. In conclusion, wherever you live, be cautious of heat waves. Do not ignore when receiving warning messages from the Meteorological Administration.