Intensified solitude highlights summertime: "A period when solitude feels the most poignant"
In the face of increasingly extreme climate phenomena, a Spanish think tank, SoledadES, is advocating for the inclusion of unwanted loneliness as a real and measurable risk factor in plans to respond to summer climate emergencies.
Summer, with its long days and high temperatures, can exacerbate involuntary isolation, particularly in large cities and urban environments, among people with limited resources, and those with a lack of friends and family support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long warned that loneliness is a mortality factor as high as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and atmospheric pollution.
To mitigate this increased risk of harm due to unwanted loneliness for vulnerable populations, summer climate emergency prevention plans can be modified to incorporate social and community support elements alongside traditional heat mitigation measures. This includes establishing cooling centers with social engagement opportunities, proactive outreach and wellness checks to isolated individuals, and targeted community programs that build social connections during heat events.
Key modifications based on recent examples and best practices include creating climate refuges or cooling centers that provide not only air-conditioned spaces but also company to reduce isolation. Examples of such initiatives can be seen in the Spanish Red Cross’s "climate refuge" in Malaga, which helps vulnerable residents avoid loneliness by offering a social environment while they stay cool indoors.
Other strategies include implementing structured community outreach programs focusing on vulnerable groups who are at higher risk from both heat and social isolation, such as older adults, people with reduced mobility, and those living alone. This includes regular check-ins by volunteers or healthcare providers to ensure their safety, hydration, and connectedness.
Partnering with trusted local organizations and institutions to increase awareness and engagement within communities is also crucial. For example, Chicago worked with the Field Museum to engage neighborhoods vulnerable to heat by raising awareness about risks and how to mitigate them, which can be expanded to include tackling loneliness by fostering neighborhood support networks.
Promoting accessible public messaging that encourages neighbors and families to check on isolated individuals is another essential step in building social safety nets that mitigate loneliness during heat events. Additionally, incorporating transportation or assisted services to help vulnerable individuals access cooling centers or community activities, especially for those with mobility issues or living alone, can help reduce isolation.
Finally, using technology and communication tools (calls, social media, SMS alerts) to maintain contact with vulnerable populations, provide guidance on heat safety, and encourage community connection when physical gatherings are limited, is a vital strategy in addressing unwanted loneliness during heat events.
In summary, modifying summer climate emergency plans by integrating social and mental health considerations, fostering community connections, and ensuring accessible, welcoming cooling spaces can reduce harm linked to unwanted loneliness among vulnerable populations during extreme heat events. The problem of loneliness encompasses both health and social aspects, affecting people of all ages, including one-third of older people and one-quarter of adolescents. By addressing this issue, we can help ensure the wellbeing of our communities during the summer months.
References:
[1] Spanish Red Cross (2022) Climate Refuges: Helping Vulnerable Residents Cope with Heatwaves. Available at: https://www.cruzroja.es/noticias/refugios-climaticos-ayudando-a-residentes-vulnerables-a-sobrevivir-a-las-olas-de-calor
[2] City of Chicago (2021) Heat Safety and Awareness for Neighborhoods (HAN) Program. Available at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dph/supp_info/heat_safety_awareness_for_neighborhoods_han_program.html
[3] Campaign to End Loneliness (2020) Best Practice Examples. Available at: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/best-practice-examples/
The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged that loneliness can be as detrimental to health as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and atmospheric pollution. Therefore, to holistically address summer climate emergencies, average temperatures, and health-and-wellness, mental-health considerations should be integrated into climate emergency prevention plans. This includes fostering social connections through initiatives like the Spanish Red Cross’s "climate refuge" in Malaga, which not only provides cool spaces but also promotes mental health by reducing loneliness.
