Climate change impacts
According to the 2019 Tochigi Prefectural Climate Change Impact Study, the annual average temperature in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture (statistical period: 1898-2018) has increased by about 2.33°C per 100 years due to the effects of urbanization and global warming, and is expected to continue to increase in the future. Under these circumstances, the number of people transported to hospital for heat stroke in Tochigi prefecture reached a record high in 2018 (Fig. 1). The Tochigi Prefectural government is enlightening people about climate change through measures against heat stroke, which is a familiar and urgent issue.
Adaptation activity
Following the "Guidelines for Heat Illness Issues in Summer Events", issued by the Ministry of the Environment, one "mist tent" (Figs. 2 and 3), a temporary resting place using mist and tents, which is recommended as a measure against the heat, has been installed. Using this method, you can lower the temperature you feel through the combined measures of the heat shielding of the tent, the heat of vaporization of the mist, and the breeze of the fan. The mist tent is provided free of charge to prefecture and municipally-sponsored events (Fig. 4). In fiscal year 2019, the first year of the program, it was used at 18 different events.
Outputs / Expected benefits
By combining awareness-raising about climate change with the use of mist tents to prevent heat stroke, it is hoped that the event organizers will improve their environment to prevent heat-related illnesses, and that each participant will be able to change their behavior to adapt.
Fig. 1 Upward trend in hospitalizations from heat stroke in Tochigi Prefecture (May-September)
(Source: National Institute for Environmental Studies, ‘kankyō tenbōdai’ website (last accessed November 11, 2019))
