Staying Cool During Extreme Heat: Crucial Tips as Extreme Weather Escalates

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As more extreme weather patterns occur, humans are going to have to adapt more and more to survive. With no major global climate mitigation in sight by any global government powers, as climate disturbances progress, individuals are being left to fend for themselves.

Staying Cool During Extreme Heat: Crucial Tips as Extreme Weather Escalates

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As the realities of climate change continue to make their mark on our planet, increasingly frequent and intense heat waves have become a new normal for many regions worldwide. The city of Phoenix set a 31-day record of days with temperatures over 110 degrees, and Maui's iconic Lahaina town, once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was entirely wiped out and reduced to ashes by wildfires caused by extreme drought conditions. The global thermostat isn't just inching upwards; it's taking big leaps, and it's imperative to adapt to this changing climate.

While global policymakers and environmentalists grapple with the broader challenges, at an individual level, finding ways to stay cool has become critical. Drawing inspiration from both modern-day solutions as well as traditional methods, here are some tips and tricks to help you keep the heat at bay.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

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Photo by Johnny McClung on Unsplash
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Sweating is our body’s natural way to cool down, but it also means we're losing essential fluids.
  • Have some electrolyte drinks at hand, or fix yourself a suero with ingredients you might already have on your fridge – just some carbonated water, limes, and salt to help you rehydrate.
  • Avoid sugary, alcoholic, or caffeinated beverages, as they can cause dehydration.
  • Watch out for signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy or lightheaded, headaches, overall tiredness, and having a dry mouth, lips, and eyes.

Stay Indoors During Peak Heat

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Photo by Trude Jonsson Stangel on Unsplash
  • When possible, avoid going out between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is at its peak.
  • If you need to be outdoors, seek shade regularly, take breaks, and don’t forget to hydrate.

Keep Your Home Cool

white wall fan turned on near white window blinds


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  • Open your windows during the cooler parts of the day (early morning and late evening) to let the cool air in and close them, drawing the curtains or blinds, during the peak heat.
  • Create natural shade. Consider planting large-leaf plants or tall trees outdoors that offer some shade. Opt for potted plants to cool your indoor spaces, balconies, or patios.
  • Even a basic fan can make a significant difference in circulating air from room to room and making your house feel cooler.
  • If the heat is too much to handle at home during peak hours, consider spending some time in air-conditioned public places such as malls or libraries.

Lower Your Body Temperature

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  • Use cooling towels, neck wraps, or handheld fans. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy; a hand towel drenched in cold water will do. Take them with you when you go outside.
  • Placing cool cloths or ice packs on pulse points like wrists, neck, and ankles can help lower your body temperature. Remember abuela putting a wet trapo on her neck while gardening? She knew what’s up.
  • Misting sprays can also offer relief when it's sweltering. Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the fridge. A quick spritz can be refreshing!

Wear Light and Loose Clothing

woman wearing gray and pink dress


Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
  • Wear clothes made from natural fabrics that help your skin breathe, such as cotton, linen, silk, hemp, rayon, and chambray. Wearing loose clothing also allows for better airflow to keep you cooler.
  • Opt for light colors like white and beige, as they reflect sunlight and absorb less heat.
  • Hats with wide brims can protect your face and neck from direct sun exposure.

Take Cool Showers or Baths

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Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
  • Taking a cool shower can quickly bring down your body temperature, especially after spending time outdoors. Just make sure to adjust the water temperature gradually to avoid shocking your system as you transition from hot to cold.
  • Inspired by the ‘pila’ – a large, often outdoor, sink or wash basin common in rural areas of Latin America – set up a small inflatable pool or even just soak your feet in a basin of cool water. It's a quick way to cool down and relax.

Limit Physical Activity

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  • If you can, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or late evening.
  • Remember, the body produces more heat during physical activities, so take it easy and avoid breaking a sweat when possible.

Seal Your Home

closed blue window


Photo by Michael Jasmund on Unsplash
  • Block out the sun by using blackout curtains, shades, or reflective window films.
  • Ensure that your home is adequately insulated to prevent the entry of excess heat and to retain cool air inside.

Opt for No-Cook Meals

strawberry salad plate


Photo by Dovile Ramoskaite on Unsplash
  • Cooking can heat up your home considerably. On very hot days, consider opting for salads, sandwiches, and other no-cook meals. Ceviche is a perfect example. It's delicious, refreshing, and doesn't require turning on the stove! Just say no to that summer caldo.

Stay Informed

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Photo by Taras Shypka on Unsplash
  • Monitor local weather updates and heat advisories. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it can keep you safe.

The increasing heatwaves aren't just uncomfortable; they can be dangerous. It's essential to take precautions and employ whatever strategies we can to keep cool.

As the world grapples with the broader impacts of climate change, remember that a little planning and some simple tricks can go a long way in ensuring you and your loved ones remain safe and comfortable.

bop the bigot video game logo

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

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