Heat Action Day on June 2, 2025

Heat Action Day on June 2, 2025. The day on which we call attention throughout the Netherlands to the major risks of heat, also known as the silent killer of climate change. Has your municipality taken initiatives to bring this day to your attention, for example in the form of a game as part of the awareness process?

Heat Action Day

This year, Heat Action Day is taking place in the Netherlands for the first time. Originally an initiative of the Red Cross, Heat Action Day is now widely embraced worldwide. Heat Action Day draws attention to the major risks of heat, also known as the silent killer of climate change. It is the day when municipalities, provinces, knowledge institutions, housing associations, health organizations, and many others can highlight their heat-related work and address 'hot issues'. Join in and organize heat activities in your municipality. The possibilities are endless, but consider, for example:

• Signing of the local heat plan, or, if you already have one, renewal of the agreements.
• Unveiling of new water taps or lubrication posts and launch of a digital map showing all locations.
• Launch of a map with cool outdoor spots or a cool green route.
• Opening of a cool courtyard of a housing association or care institution.
• Putting the spotlight on the 'coolest' resident (or care institution, company, …) who has contributed to cool green activities in a hot neighborhood.
• Election of the hottest spot in the municipality via local media.
• Election of the best idea to protect elderly people vulnerable to heat.
• Hospitality competition for the tastiest homemade ice pop.
• Playing Hot Bingo (Red Cross).
• Red lighting of tall towers or other icons of the municipality.

  Climate change is causing increasing heat worldwide. But together we can #BeatTheHeat! Heat Action Day on June 2 is a global day to raise awareness about heat risks and share simple ways to #BeatTheHeat.  

Heat Action Day

Heatwaves are deadly. Every year, they claim the lives of babies, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions around the world. People living in cities and villages are often hit the hardest, because urban areas are generally warmer than the surrounding countryside. Due to climate change, heatwaves are increasing. They are becoming both warmer and longer. A new report, developed for Heat Action Day 2024 by Climate Central, World Weather Attribution, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre, describes how climate change has led to extreme heat over the past 12 months. But they don't have to lead to a tragedy. There are simple measures we can all take to protect ourselves, our neighbors, family members, and friends. For example, drinking water, resting in the shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. The theme of Heat Action Day 2025 is “how to recognize heat exhaustion and heatstroke?” To ensure that everyone knows how to prevent heatstroke and how to respond to it, we invite you to creatively involve your local community. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]             Communities are already taking action with a full day of activities. Join in or organize your own activity and let us know what you are planning via the registration page.

• Cities will light up their public monuments in orange on the occasion of Heat Action Day.
• National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and partner organizations create events, sketches, plays, games, etc. to show how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in public places and how to help.
• Engage experts, the media, and influential individuals to provide information on recognizing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and on preventing and treating them.
• In preparation for Heat Action Day, we encourage people around the world to submit cartoons, drawings, paintings, and data visualizations about heat exhaustion and heatstroke. IFRC will create an online project booklet from these submissions, which will be widely shared.

 

United Kingdom

The British Royal Mail celebrated the 170th anniversary of the British national weather service, the Met Office, with a series of eight stamps highlighting the history, science, and future of weather forecasting. The stamps were issued on 1 February 2024. “Brits love to talk about the weather,” said David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Royal Mail. “It is a national obsession. Whether we are fishermen heading out to sea, farmers planning the harvest, or holidaymakers worried about losing their tent to the wind, people of all ages want to know if it will be sunny or wet, warm or cold. These stamps celebrate the people and the science behind weather forecasting.” Explanation of stamps for the theme 'Weather' and also World War II (5th stamp). 2nd: Luke Howard, pioneer meteorologist (1803) 2nd: Storm barometer of Robert FitzRoy (1854) 1st: Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1912) 1st: First broadcast for shipping forecast (924) £2.00: Weather observers supporting the D-Day invasion (1944) £2.00: Radar and computers improved forecasting (1950s) £2.20: Barbara Edwards the first British female TV weather presenter (1974) £2.20: Modern meteorology using supercomputers and satellites  

<strong> More info: </strong>

Heat Action Day offers on June 2: https://klimaatverbond.nl/heat-action-day/ IFRC, International: https://www.ifrc.org/get-involved/campaign-us/heat-action-day