Could an afternoon nap help us cope with hotter temperatures? It's worked for Australia's First Nations people
Retrieved on:
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Well, Heart, Poverty, Housing, Heat, Atmosphere, Alice Springs, Culture, Dehydration, Splenic infarction, Research, Burn, Carbon, Kidney, Tokyo, Athlete, Roadwork, Humidity, Walking, House, Climate change, Frailty, Risk, Air conditioning, First Nations, Climate, Weather, Tin, Health, Perspiration, Conditional sentence, Exertion, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Poultry farming, Film industry
Houses were built to catch the breeze, and everything slowed down when the hot weather arrived.
Key Points:
- Houses were built to catch the breeze, and everything slowed down when the hot weather arrived.
- But over the last few decades, most people in hot cities like Darwin started spending much more time in air-conditioned comfort.
- In part it is because First Nations people are protected by their culture, as co-author and Warumungu elder Norman Frank Jupurrurla knows firsthand.
- But as the world grapples with ever-hotter temperatures, we may well need to relearn the art of the afternoon nap.
What’s the risk of living in constant cooling?
- Many heat-related deaths come from heart attacks, as the heart has to work harder in intense heat.
- The impact of intense heat builds, as well – if you don’t get a chance to cool down, you’re more at risk.
- But what happens if you swap cultural practices of gentle heat exposure like the siesta for air-conditioned offices, cars and homes?
- That’s why Australia’s athletes went to Darwin before the Tokyo Olympic – to get ready for the to the humidity of the Japanese summer.
How can you tolerate life without cooling?
- You want to do that, do it early in the morning or late in the afternoon or night.
- In the heat, you have a nap – that’s the only thing you can do, in the shade.
- Roadworkers, fencers, workers – when we see them working, it’s like a machine that can’t stop even if its destroying itself.
- You want to do that, do it early in the morning or late in the afternoon or night.
- Roadworkers, fencers, workers – when we see them working, it’s like a machine that can’t stop even if its destroying itself.
- There’s nothing to do but to find a house with an air-conditioned room and stay in it.
- Houses in the Northern Territory have Australia’s lowest energy efficiency despite being exposed to climate extremes.
What should we take from this?
- On days that don’t involve extreme heat, siestas are free, carbon neutral and healthy.
- Just as important is making sure houses are built for their climate, as we are trying to do in Tennant Creek.
- Well insulated and well ventilated houses need much less air conditioning to remain comfortable and safe – perfect for a nap.