The Ministry of Environment Cool Map now includes more than 5,000 shaded or air-conditioned “cool zones” and is set to grow to 10,000 next year, the ministry said today, as it touted policies to support vulnerable groups in extreme heat.
The ministry held a seminar to discuss the Cool Map platform that was launched in July and how to better care for the public under extreme heat, inviting businesses and local government representatives to share their experiences.
People face changing weather every day, and summer has been getting hotter for the past few years, Deputy Minister of Environment Hsieh Yein-rui (謝燕儒) said.
Photo: Taipei Times
Although countries globally are reducing emissions, the environment cannot respond that fast, so adjustments must be made, Hsieh said.
The ministry launched the Cool Map this summer, which identifies shaded or air-conditioned zones, drinking-water stations and real-time temperature information, he said.
More than 5,000 cool zones have been added throughout Taiwan, he said, adding that the number is expected to reach at least 10,000 next year.
Extreme weather increases the risk of heatstroke for elderly people, placing a heavy burden on families, Climate Change Administration Deputy Director-General Chang Ken-mu (張根穆) said.
The government has trialed a new system to support elderly people in Tainan, which has the oldest population and hottest conditions in Taiwan, Chang said.
The city identified high-risk zones to efficiently allocate resources and began issuing three-to-six-hour heat warnings, estimating indoor temperatures and generating priority visit lists for social workers, he said.
In addition to issuing high-temperature warnings, efforts would focus on vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and outdoor workers, Hsieh said.
They would also focus on establishing more cool zones closer together, improving outdoor facilities to provide more shade and educating people on protective measures to create a cooler, safer and more resilient Taiwan, he added.
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