The American summer vacation is a beloved tradition, filled with outdoor activities like playground visits, swimming in the local pool, and camp sing-alongs. However, as climate change continues to raise temperatures, many of these cherished summer traditions are changing. Summer camps are now moving indoors, and parks are closing during heat waves. Even air travel is affected, with planes being grounded due to difficulties taking off in extreme heat. Some destinations, such as Greece and the Canary Islands, are seeing fewer visitors during peak tourism season due to rising temperatures.
According to Aaron Bernstein, the former interim director of the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of heat on children. The assumption that heat is only a problem for children who are exerting themselves or have pre-existing health conditions is largely wrong. Extreme heat during a heat wave can lead to respiratory, kidney diseases, and cognitive impairment in all children.
However, there are ways of managing heat and reduce these risks. In hotter regions like Texas, horseback-riding schools that offer summer camps, distribute bandanas soaked in ice buckets to children, and move camp times to earlier in the day on sweltering days. Wearing light-colored fabrics is a traditional adaptation in places around the world with extreme heat. However, there are still some temperatures and humidity levels in which it is unsafe to be outside for extended periods of time.
The question of “how hot is too hot” presents two challenges. Firstly, there is no national or state standard for when children should abandon outdoor activities, leaving it up to parents and organizers to make decisions for themselves. Secondly, children respond differently to heat based on factors such as age, body size, and pre-existing medical conditions. Antibiotics and ADHD or allergy medication may affect their sensitivity to heat, and overheating can make them more susceptible to it in the future. Even more extreme conditions mean that summer requires intense risk management.
Being outdoors has valuable benefits linked to mental health and having green space correlates with a stronger immune system and fewer depression or aggression symptoms. However, the long-term effects of having children outdoors in extreme heat are still unclear.
Recently, even outdoor camps are moving indoors, with facilities opening in malls to provide a space for outdoor activities during extreme weather events. While outdoor educators may initially flinch at the idea of keeping kids inside such spaces, the value of providing a safer space cannot be denied. Ultimately, as we face the challenges of climate change, it is essential to adapt and change how we experience summer rather than risking the health of our children.
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