Adaptation suggestions to heatwaves and weather events in Brazil

03/19/24  @Pablo888.  Good topic.  I'm still getting past a bad bout of heat illness that I contracted on our trip to João Pessoa during the first week of the month, and it's not easy!  Several doctor's visits, a lot of medications, and a series of respiratory therapy still coming up. 

This is not something that a person can just push his or her way through (I foolishly tried!), even old Brazil hands who think we're used to the heat.  Things are definitely getting hotter.

This information from the Cleveland Clinic is very good, and well worth the time to read:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/d … at-illness

Hi, I was in Joao Pessoa from Jan 18 to Feb 20th. It was pretty hot. I tried to stay under the shade and used lots of sunscreens and a hat. My beach walk used to be early in the morning. In the afternoon I hung out on the swimming pool shade.

One thing about some of the states in the northeast is that the water is warm without waves. It feels like you are getting into a sauna.  I much prefer Rio's cold beach water with waves.  Now that I am back home, in Bahia state, which is equally hot, I carry an umbrella when I go out and if I have to go out in the afternoon, I try to schedule it for after 4 PM.

    03/19/24  @Pablo888.  Good topic.  I'm still getting past a bad bout of heat illness that I contracted on our trip to João Pessoa during the first week of the month, and it's not easy!  Several doctor's visits, a lot of medications, and a series of respiratory therapy still coming up.      -@abthree

@abthree - I am also really prone to heat sickness esp. in late spring early summer.  I have discovered that cupping therapy works really well for me.  Cupping therapy is a well known asian treatment for heat sickness.  No-one knows how it works but there is empirical evidence that it works (https://www.jkom.org/journal/view.php?number=5058).

I bought a set of air pumped cups (like https://www.amazon.com/AIKOTOO-Cupping- … c9d505e054) and I apply those on my back for about 5 mins.

The heat related headaches disappear almost immediately and I am back to normal 30 mins after the treatment.

The cupping red marks after the treatment are normal and will disappear over time.  The more pronounced the red marks are after the treatment are an indication of how much heat was in your body before the treatment.  The theory is that heat accumulates in your body and cupping removes the heat by forcing blood circulation around the cupping area - hence the red circular marks.

If you want to explore cupping therapy to treat heat sickness, I would recommend going to an acupuncture therapist to try one session.  Please make sure to explain that you want heat sickness relief and the therapist should be able to show you where you would apply the cups and for how long.

After you know where the cups should be and how long, you can actually get your spouse or friend to apply the cups using the Amazon kit (or the like) above.

Hope that this little trick works for you as it works for me.

Brazil has lots of good info about climate change through scientific organizations for all the regions of the country. It’s looking rough. The cerrado may dry out due to deforestation and warming. The caatinga is projected to go from semi arid to fully arid which will be devestating. Amazonia is in play but may soon shift towards a dry Savannah. The south/se and coastal Bahia will get more extreme rains, landslides. Lots of the coast is at risk for rising seas as people build in mangroves and low lying territory. 1 foot would be conservative. If it were me Id want a few meters above sea level or more. It’s hard to dodge all the bullets. Going higher elevation can help but only if you’re not affected by landslides, floods or drought depending. Another factor to consider is internal displacement and migration which can cause social tensions and unrest. These are the blessing the worlds wealthy and powerful have given to us.

Common for me. Living in Toronto. During summers they don't factor in heat from concrete. So going from. 40-45c feels like 55-60c in Toronto during peak summers. Whats going on now can be dealt with easily. Key thing do not blast your AC all day and night then go outside. Will cause condensation ( slight ) when breathing which will make it difficult during the hot.

Just keep in shade. Stay near trees always. Do not over hydrate as all of that can attribute to heat* stroke and heat related ailments. If anything dress light but covered. Good example are the UV resistant shirts they sell here and shorts. These have been a miracle for me lol.

Also check on your neighbors to make sure they are ok. With the heat disruption this will cause more water use and people may run out.

So far past few weeks I've hired a water truck twice due to failing water delivery to my neighborhood.

( Lots of elderly and families )

Keep safe peeps !