NGO Launches Hotline to Guide Response to Rising Extreme Heat

NGO Launches Hotline to Guide Response to Rising Extreme Heat

A non-governmental organisation, Heat and Resilience Action (HERA), has introduced a free hotline designed to help communities and policymakers respond more effectively to the growing threat of extreme heat.

The initiative comes amid mounting global concern over rising temperatures, which experts now describe as one of the deadliest climate hazards, with far-reaching impacts on public health, infrastructure, food systems and economies.

The World Meteorological Organization has warned that the planet is in a “state of emergency,” driven by record levels of greenhouse gas emissions. It noted that increasing heat levels are already triggering a chain of consequences, including food shortages, displacement, disease outbreaks and widespread heat stress.

In countries across the Global South, including Nigeria, the effects are becoming more pronounced. Recent cases of meningitis, heat-related illnesses and respiratory complications have highlighted the urgency for faster, locally grounded responses.

Speaking on the new initiative, HERA’s founder and chief executive officer, Kathy McLeod, said the Heat Science Hotline aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical action.

She explained that the platform connects users to a global network of experts, ranging from epidemiologists and meteorologists to architects and data scientists, who will provide tailored, evidence-based advice.

“We are in a global heat emergency, and many of those responding are doing so without full access to the knowledge they need,” McLeod said. “This platform is about making that expertise accessible and actionable.”

According to her, the advisory board; co-chaired by Neha Mankani and Gregory Wellenius draws from diverse fields including urban planning, public health and climate science, ensuring that responses are adapted to real-world conditions.

The service also seeks to address overlooked vulnerabilities, particularly those affecting women, children and other at-risk groups during extreme heat events.

Chief executive officer of QCF, Jess Ayers, said one of the biggest obstacles in climate response is turning research into practical interventions, especially under pressure.

She noted that while the risks of heat exposure among women are well documented, they are often not reflected in early warning systems or policy design.

“Making expert support more accessible can help close that gap between knowledge and action,” she said.

Similarly, Betty Bonsu Adjei of the Green Africa Youth Organisation said access to reliable scientific guidance will be critical as climate initiatives expand across the continent.

She pointed out that youth-led climate efforts in countries such as Uganda, Ghana and Kenya require strong data and expert backing to match the scale of the crisis.

“The hotline will help ensure that solutions are rooted in sound science and reflect the realities communities are facing,” she said, adding that it would enable faster and more effective responses.

HERA said users can submit questions through an online platform and receive practical guidance to support policy decisions, project implementation and funding processes, particularly in regions most vulnerable to extreme heat.

The organisation believes the initiative could play a key role in strengthening resilience as countries grapple with the accelerating impacts of climate change.