HIPPIE DIPPY WEATHERMAN SEZ
DUDES PREPARE FOR HOT CLASSROOMS
SHOW ME YOUR PLAN
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the "Hotter than a Jalapeno" show! I'm your host, the "Hippie Dippy Weatherman", and boy oh boy do we have some spicy news for you today. It seems that the heat is on, folks, and not just in California. But don't sweat it, we've got some cool solutions to beat this heatwave.
First up, let's talk about California schools. Now, we all know that California is the land of sunshine and good vibes, but sometimes it can get hotter than a habanero pepper. And that's not good for anyone, especially the poor kids and teachers who are trying to learn and grow. But fear not, my fellow heat warriors, because California is taking some groovy steps to make their schools more chill and comfy.
They're planting more trees to give some shade and fresh air, and they're getting rid of the asphalt and rubber that make the playgrounds feel like a frying pan. They're even working on a plan to deal with heat emergencies and help people who are feeling the heat. Now that's what I call some hot stuff!
But California isn't the only place feeling the heat, man. Other places are also getting hotter and hotter, and they're doing something about it too. They have their own plans to cope with the heat, which include things like giving out water and ice cream (yes, you heard that right), sending out heat alerts, getting more fans and coolers, and teaching people how to stay cool and healthy.
But let me tell you, making and following these plans is not easy. There are a lot of challenges and unknowns involved, like figuring out if the plans really work (duh), getting everyone on the same page (good luck with that), and making people realize that heat is a serious problem (it's not just a feeling, folks).
These challenges require some creative thinking and cooperation from everyone involved. So, I'm calling on all you cool cats out there to join the heat planning efforts in your communities and to take care of yourselves and others during heat waves. And don't worry, I've got some tips and tricks for staying cool and groovy in the heat:
1. Stay hydrated - drink water like it's going out of style.
2. Wear loose-fitting clothes - tight clothes are for squares.
3. Use sunscreen - nobody wants to look like a lobster.
4. Take breaks in the shade - trees are your new best friend.
5. Eat spicy food - it'll make you sweat, but it'll also cool you down (trust me on this one).
Now, let's take a look at some examples of heat plans from other states or countries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines and resources for employers to create a written plan to prevent heat-related illness. The plan should include elements such as who will provide oversight, how will new workers develop heat tolerance, how will heat stress be measured, and what training will be provided to workers and supervisors.
The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) requires employers to have a heat illness prevention plan that includes procedures for providing sufficient water, access to shade, high-heat procedures, emergency response procedures, and acclimatization methods.
The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) showcases heat action plans and case studies from various countries, such as India, China, France, Spain, and Canada. These plans typically involve inter-agency coordination, public awareness campaigns, early warning systems, health care preparedness, and evaluation of effectiveness.
But let's not forget about the challenges or barriers to implementing heat plans. Evaluating the effectiveness of heat plans in reducing heat-related health impacts is difficult due to methodological issues (yawn), coordinating across different agencies (zzz), raising public awareness (snore). Sorry folks, I think I just dozed off there for a second.
But fear not, my fellow heat warriors! These challenges can be overcome by using robust evaluation methodologies (whatever that means), fostering cross-agency collaboration (can't we all just get along?), and developing innovative and tailored communication strategies that address the needs and preferences of different audiences (now we're talking).
Some hot tips for staying cool in this scorching heatwave. Remember to stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothes, use sunscreen, take breaks in the shade, and eat spicy food. And don't forget to join the heat planning efforts in your communities! Together we can beat this heatwave and stay cool as cucumbers.
So there you have it, folks. Some groovy ways to beat the heat in California schools (and beyond). And hey, if you want to get involved in the heat planning efforts in your community, go for it! The more the merrier, right? Just remember to take care of yourself and others during those blazing hot days. Peace out!
California Schools Start Hatching Heat Plans As The Planet Warms | Sacramento, CA Patch https://patch.com/california/sacramento/california-schools-start-hatching-heat-plans-planet-warms
SUMMARY
- As California grapples with how to deal with heat waves made more intense by climate change, schools in the state may soon have to come up with plans for cooling down outside play areas by planting more trees and replacing surfaces like asphalt that swelter on hot days¹.
- A policy brief published last month by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation offers a series of recommendations on how education and building codes can help schools become more heat-resilient in the face of global warming⁵.
- State Sen. Caroline Menjivar, a Democrat, introduced legislation this year requiring schools to have heat plans by 2027, and another bill would make it easier for schools to create more shaded spaces⁵.
- The best way to keep kids cool is perhaps the most obvious: providing shade, which can reduce the heat stress experienced throughout the day by 25% to 35%, according to the Luskin Center⁵. That requires reconfiguring playgrounds to make them cooler, such as swapping heat-absorbing materials like asphalt and rubber for grass and wood chips⁵.
- Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state has released an Extreme Heat Action Plan outlining a strategic and comprehensive set of state actions to adapt and strengthen resilience to extreme heat⁶. The announcement comes on the heels of a heat wave earlier this month in Long Beach that reached a high of 101°F, nine degrees hotter than the record high in April 2014⁶.
- In partnership with the Legislature, Governor Newsom advanced an $800 million package in last year’s budget to protect California’s communities from heat. The package includes $300 million to support implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan and numerous other investments that protect communities, the economy, and natural systems from extreme heat⁶.
Bing, 6/17/2023
(1) California lawmakers advance bill to cool down outside areas at schools .... https://bing.com/search?q=California+Schools+Heat+Plans.
(2) California Schools Start Hatching Heat Plans as the Planet Warms. https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/california-schools-start-hatching-heat-plans-as-the-planet-warms/.
(3) California Releases Extreme Heat Action Plan to Protect Communities .... https://www.gov.ca.gov/2022/04/28/california-releases-extreme-heat-action-plan-to-protect-communities-from-rising-temperatures/.
(4) California schools start hatching heat plans as the planet warms. https://www.mmm-online.com/home/channel/california-schools-start-hatching-heat-plans-as-the-planet-warms/.
(5) How California schools are spending billions in record pandemic aid. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-california-schools-are-spending-billions-in-record-pandemic-aid/ar-AA1cxCa3.
(6) ‘It’s So Overwhelming': Demands on School Health Workers Are Making Them Want to Quit. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/its-so-overwhelming-demands-on-school-health-workers-are-making-them-want-to-quit/2023/06.
