Read the paper: Ramsay, E., Hamel, P., Chown, S., et al, 2024, One Earth

Summary

By Emma Ramsay

As cities expand, so does the relentless march of urban heat islands, especially in informal settlements often overlooked in heat analyses. RISE PhD alumni Dr Emma Ramsay, and a team from Monash University's Faculty of Science and Nanyang Technological University, have uncovered a critical discrepancy in the assessment of humid heat stress in tropical urban informal settlements. Global weather station networks underestimate the severity of humid heat stress, which Ramsay says leaves these vulnerable communities ill-prepared to tackle the escalating health and wellbeing challenges associated with rising temperatures.

“Humid heat stress impacts all aspects of our health, wellbeing and economic livelihoods,” says Ramsay. “The sparse distribution of weather stations across the tropics means that we rarely capture local heat stress exposure, especially in cities which tend to be hotter due to the urban heat island.”

To fill this crucial gap, Ramsay and her team synthesised data from seven studies conducted across the tropics, including the RISE heat monitoring from Suva and Makassar, showcasing that the heat and humidity experienced in informal settlements surpasses measurements recorded at the nearest weather stations.

Findings show there is a need for local heat stress monitoring, particularly in tropical cities, where informal settlements bear the brunt of extreme conditions. The study advocates for coordinated efforts to expand monitoring networks, emphasising the inclusion of informal settlements in climate monitoring and adaptation strategies. The findings underscore the importance of nature-based solutions to mitigate urban temperatures and early-warning systems to empower residents to prepare for extreme heat events.

Moving forward, Ramsay says we need to ensure that informal settlements are not left behind in climate adaptation efforts. The research calls for increased support to National Meteorological Institutes in developing countries to enhance monitoring infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap in understanding and addressing heat stress, thereby safeguarding the wellbeing of vulnerable communities in the face of a warming world.

Read more about this publication in The Conversation.