Heat Action Day

Climate change is turning up the heat around the world. But together, we can #BeatTheHeat! On June 14, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies performed coordinated heat wave flash mobs in public spaces to raise awareness of heat risks and share simple ways to #BeatTheHeat.

Why do we need a Heat Action Day?

Women and children in Imhambane province, Mozambique seek refuge under trees in the shade and drink water during a period of extreme heat and drought

Photo: IFRC/Victor Lacken

Heat waves are deadly. Every year, they claim the lives of infants, older people, and people with chronic health conditions around the world. People living in cities and towns tend to be the hardest hit because urban areas are generally hotter than the surrounding countryside.

Due to climate change, heat waves are on the rise globally—getting both hotter and longer. But they don't need to lead to tragedy.

There are simple actions we can all take to protect ourselves, our neighbours, our family members and friends. These include drinking water, resting in the shade, and avoiding outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day.

We need a Heat Action Day to raise awareness about this silent emergency so more people worldwide can stay safe and #BeatTheHeat

How to get involved

Netherlands Red Cross volunteers go door-to-door to check upon older people during a scorching heatwave in summer 2018 and make sure they know how to stay safe and cool in the heat

Photo: Netherlands Red Cross

Although Heat Action Day 2022 has now passed, you can still get involved in our campaign and help your communities #BeatTheHeat

Check out the resources available on this page and gather a team together to do a heat wave flash mob.

A flash mob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform for a brief time, then quickly disperse. They can be for entertainment, catching people’s attention, or raising awareness about a particular cause.

Do you drink lots of water? Do you find a nice, shady tree to rest under? Or have you created your own device to help you #BeatTheHeat? Show us with your flash mob! Make sure to film it and share the video on social media using the hashtag #BeatTheHeat and tagging @IFRC

Check out this Twitter thread and the videos below to see the creative ways National Societies around the world got involved!

Watch: #BeatTheHeat flash mobs around the world!

How to organize a flash mob

Step 1: Engage!

Step 2: Location!

Step 3: Learn!

Step 4: Plan!

Everyone will need to bring a red or orange object such as an umbrella, cloth or placard to the flash mob with them. Plan what each person will bring. Ask everyone to wear red or orange to represent heat. Think about:
- What time will you meet to get to the gathering place where the flash mob will take place?
- How will you know when to start the flash mob?
- Who will take pictures and record the event?
- Will you invite local media to see the flash mob?
- Who will be your branch's spokesperson to talk about heatwave preparedness with the media?

Step 5: Execute! (Includes 'how to' instructions)

Get together and do your flash mob!

Step 1: Take out your red or orange object and hold it above your head and walk with your group towards the central location. It should appear as if a parade of people with red and orange objects are converging into the central location.

Step 2: Once everyone has converged into the central location with their red/orange objects above their heads, everyone will do a “wave” motion while saying “heat wave” loudly. Repeat this 5 times and see if you can get onlookers to join.

Step 3: One person yells, “Prepare for the season! What can we do?” The rest of the group says, “Rest!” And makes resting motion. “Water!” And everyone pretends to drink water (or actually does). “Shade!” And everyone makes shade using their object to create shade. Repeat 3 times.

Step 4: After the last round, say, “heat waves are deadly, but we can beat the heat!”

Step 5: Everyone leaves together. You can leave behind a QR code, or placard with a website link so on-lookers can learn more about how to #BeatTheHeat

Step 6: Share!

Partners

Heat Action Day 2022 was co-organized by the IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Global Disaster Preparedness Center.

We were excited to have many National Societies and other organizations joining us to raise awareness of extreme heat!

ENBEL brings together leaders in climate change and health research and they are sharing their best practices to #BeatTheHeat.
The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) is a network of experts and policymakers working to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on a warming planet.
C40 Cities and their Cool Cities Network are supporting cities to tackle urban heat.

In addition to National Societies, we also had The European Emergency Circle, African News Agency, Beyond Plastic Nigeria, Punjab University, Christian Fellowship and Care Foundation, and Kathmandu University Youth Red Cross Circle organizing heat wave flash mobs around the world.