Heat Wave : A Sign Or Warning Of How We Treat Our Environment

A few days into the new month I heard an announcement from the weather and safety personnel in my state of residence creating awareness about the possible causes of the recent heat have. They attributed the cause to some major issues including the following:

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1. The overpopulation of the city being the most populous city in my country of origin. They confirmed that people enter the city en masse on a daily basis, making it difficult for the city to provide accommodation as necessary. This left no choice for the few buildings to absorb heats, making them too hot for occupants. In some locations, you find more than five persons sleeping in a small room. This situation is a serious concern to citizens because of the heat.

2. Moving into the harmattan season. During this time, there is always this window of heat wave before a full transitioning to the dry season. This period comes with some ailments like measles, cough, heatstroke, high blood pressure etc. This is because of the intense heat, which will not allow people to sleep well. Children are the ones hit with the measles. Parents are advised to keep palm kernel oil, incase children are hit with convulsion during this heat wave.

3. Third is the changing El Nino pattern on the sea as the personnel claimed. Though, I'm not familiar with that term, but since it was an awareness message, a quick check confirmed it as a situation where the surface of seas become very warm. When it happens, it changes the humidity of the environment making it hot.

However, news also had it that this heat wave is being experienced in many countries. It has become a general concern on the cosmos, and how further deterioration of the situation can be prevented, to save the planet and humans from outbreak of sickness commonly associated with such situation.

To cope with this situation, I have learnt to drink water as much as possible. I also take a bottle of water in my bag while going out everyday. This keeps me hydrated. I also drink oranges and water melon though not a daily basis because of the heavy cost of buying for the whole family. I do that thrice in a week while water complements the fruits.

Second, I ensure that the house is ventilated. I allow for cross ventilation to ensure free passage of hot air and inlet of cool breeze from two opposite windows.

Third, I watch the things I wear, to ensure that they are not clothes that will cause more heat, or make me uncomfortable. By these measures and others, I stay alert to the recent climate change. I also pay attention to awareness campaigns incase, they have ideas to share on the situation.

Furthermore, the heat wave is actually affecting productivity and my mood, because by the time I struggle with the heat, bathing several times in the night, since the fan brings up hot breeze, only for the weather to become comfortable in the morning. By that time, I'm already thinking of preparing for work, but weak , and exhausted from the activities engaged with, looking for a way to navigate the heat wave. It surely affects productivity.

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Again, I spend more buying and losing those handkerchief. We also spend more on buying water because we don't drink our tap water. I think this heat wave is also as a result of environmental neglect. We do not take tree planting serious. Those trees would serve as shield to provide succour in such times. Dredging the blocked sea ways will make way for constant flow of water, preventing the El Nino from forming on seas. Again, the constant penetration of the Cosmos for research purposes, is also causing a lot of buzz there, which I strongly believe is contributing to the heat wave.

In conclusion, our environment need us to do better, in taking care of it. However, while all hands must be on desk to make it happen, taking good care of our health and staying alive and thriving is paramount.