Imagine stepping out into the sweltering heat, the sun beating down relentlessly as you try to go about your daily work. Now, think about those who have no choice but to endure this every day - street vendors, fruit sellers, laborers - working outdoors in scorching conditions. For them, rising heat isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a life-altering challenge.
As temperatures soar, more people turn to air conditioners and cars to escape the heat. But these very solutions are fueling the problem. The increased use of ACs and vehicles releases more greenhouse gases and pollutants, trapping heat and making our cities hotter than ever before. This vicious cycle is creating urban heat islands, where the air feels stifling, and the concrete beneath your feet radiates unbearable heat.
In Bhopal, our study uncovered a stark reality regarding the same issue, where the participants from the marginalized groups were surveyed. Many of them, especially street vendors and construction workers, spend over 8 hours outdoors each day, enduring extreme temperatures that take a toll on their health and livelihoods.
Shockingly, 60% of these workers reported feeling fatigued while working in the heat, with others experiencing dehydration, eye irritation, and headaches. Yet, despite the severe conditions, only a handful of them are aware of government guidelines on protecting themselves from heat. Access to clean drinking water is another major issue- nearly half of the respondents do not have access to public water facilities in public places, making it even harder to stay hydrated and safe.
Is this the future we want for our country? Do we want to see our fellow citizens struggle to survive in a world we helped heat up? There’s still time to change course. We can tackle the problem heat stress by rethinking urban planning, investing in green spaces, and implementing policies that protect our most vulnerable.
It’s not just about comfort, it’s about survival. The choice is ours - will we take any action?
Diya is a research associate at TA. She is a recent graduate in economics.
TA is a Bhopal-based policy and development consulting group. We are on a mission to make the development space more inclusive and democratic for students and professionals. Join us on this mission.
