heat

If the question is whether trees and vegetation serve to combat the heat, the Bioparc of Valencia has the answer: 13 degrees less

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Going out for a walk through the center of a big city at three in the afternoon in the middle of July is a great challenge for many people because they literally begin to roast due to the high temperatures. But in these situations, taking shelter in a dense park promises relief almost immediately, as has been demonstrated in different areas of Valencia such as the Bioparc, where the wind chill drops 13 degrees with respect to the asphalt environment, as its sensors have demonstrated. A question of perception. When we read “13 degrees minus”, our brain immediately thinks about the air temperature. And this is where it is important to qualify, since a tree is not going to take air at 40 °C and magically convert it into air at 27 °C. However, air temperature is only part of the equation. What really determines whether we are comfortable or on the verge of heat stroke is the cthermal comfort, measured by indices like PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature). These indices take into account air temperature, but also humidity, wind speed and, above all, the average radiant temperature. On the street. Science in this case shows that direct solar radiation on our skin and the heat radiated by hot asphalt trigger our thermal stress. A specific study on shade infrastructure and outdoor thermal comfort demonstrated that urban shading can reduce the PET index between 9.4 and 17.1 ºC. Therefore, the 13-degree drop cited by the Valencia data fits perfectly with what science has been measuring for years. The air temperature does not drop drastically, but the radiant load does plummet. Why are trees so good? Here science has shown that tree canopies block direct solar radiation, and a field study of tree shading confirms that this interception of sunlight causes large drops in the mean radiant temperature under the canopy, eliminating the “oven effect” of direct sun. But they also act as a natural air conditioner, since, unlike a metal awning or pergola, which heat up and radiate heat, the trees are alive. This means that they absorb water through the roots and release it in the form of vapor through the leaves. This process consumes thermal energy from the environment, actively cooling the air around them, even if it is a few tenths or a couple of degrees. We need trees. The debate about whether to put more or fewer trees in a square is no longer a purely aesthetic or landscaping issue. It is directly a matter of public health, since science is quite clear that exposure to extreme heat triggers mortality and morbidity. That is why these natural environments act as a protective shield that is very necessary. It is no coincidence that institutions such as the Climate Cities Network are publishing technical guides to integrate “climate shelters” into urban planning. And it is no wonder because a climate shelter is nothing more than a space that offers safe thermal conditions for the vulnerable population during episodes of extreme heat. And the data makes it clear, since a well-designed park, with trees with wide, dense crowns, is one of the best possible refuges. Images | Andy Lee In Xataka | In the 19th century it was planted in parks for its beauty: today this tree is one of the trees that breaks the most pipes and sidewalks in Spain

Carrefour sells this portable air conditioner that is different from the rest in design and ideal for relieving the new heat wave at home

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Temperatures are rising again and a new heat wave begins today. If you have been tempted to install a split unit at home and are looking for a solution to stay cool without having to do any work or carry out complex installations, at Carrefour we have found it. It’s about this air Climatric portable air conditioner CPACN-09-CO-Awhich you can buy for 269 ​​euros in these moments. Climatric CPACN-09 CO-A Portable Air Conditioner The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A good, pretty and cheap penguin Unlike the classic white and rough blocks that usually crowd the market, this portable air conditioner that Carrefour sells stands out for its modern lines and its stylized vertical format, as well as for its elegant black color. It has a cooling power of 2,236 frigoriesperfect for effectively cooling standard-sized rooms, bedrooms or offices without taking up excessive space, making it an ideal choice for small or medium-sized homes. Includes multidirectional wheels so you can comfortably move it from the living room to the bedroom as needed throughout the day. Plus, best of all, you won’t have to call a technician to get it up and running. You just need to have a window nearby to remove the tube that expels hot air from the compressor. ⚡ IN BRIEF: Climatric CPACN-09-CO-A portable air conditioner ✅ THE BEST Stylish black design: breaks the traditional “giant white box” aesthetic. Its dark finish and column format make it much easier to visually integrate into modern living rooms or bedrooms. Balanced cooling capacity: It offers 2,236 frigories (2.6 kW), an ideal power to quickly cool small or medium-sized rooms of up to 15-18 m². ❌ THE WORST Does not include heat pump… It is an exclusive device for cold, so it does not serve as heating during the winter. Sound level typical of a penguin… By having the compressor integrated inside the device, it generates an average noise of around 51-54 dB, something common in portable air conditioners but not advisable for light sleepers. 💡 BUY IT IF… You live for rent and need to cool your home without carrying out work, using a drill or carrying out a fixed installation. ⛔ DON’T BUY IT IF… You want to cool large rooms (more than 20-25 m²), the 2,236 refrigerators fall short and the device will work hard without cooling enough. Other air conditioning devices that may interest you RANVOO AICE LITE MAX 2026 Neck Air Conditioner with AI The price could vary. We earn commission from these links DREO 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Webedia and Carrefour In Xataka | Silent ceiling fan: which one to buy? Tips and recommendations In Xataka | Best portable air conditioners 2026. Which one to buy and six recommended penguins

“The very intense heat returns to most of the country, especially starting Tuesday”

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If we thought that the drop in temperatures that we experienced this weekend was going to be something lasting, the truth is that we were completely wrong, since temperatures are about to rise again in a good part of the peninsula. Something that anticipates a possible new heat wave, which would be the fourth we have experienced this summer. The AEMET notice. Through your X account, the public body made it clear that “the heat returns very intense to most of the country, especially starting Tuesday.” He even goes further by pointing out that, with the data we have on the table, this month of July would tie as the warmest month since there are records, along with July 2022. Now, the culprit for this increase in temperatures would be an intrusion of very warm air that would enter the Iberian Peninsula in the next few hours and that would form a true “heat dome” that would trigger the thermometers. What is to come. To understand why temperatures are going to rise so quickly, you have to look to North Africa. The situation What meteorologists predictlike Samuel Biener in Meteored, is due to the strengthening of a subtropical anticyclonic ridge that will remain stationary over our geography. This configuration creates this ‘heat dome’ that acts as an immense high-pressure lid that pushes hot air downward, trapping it and compressing it against the surface. The result is that the environment overheats day after day without the possibility of ventilation and, to further complicate the situation, it arrives loaded with suspended dust directly from the Sahara. Thermal climbing. The rise in temperatures will be drastic and rapid and throughout the week, the thermometers will climb until they reach values ​​that will exceed the usual average for this time by more than 4 ºC in areas such as the Pyrenees, the Ebro valley and the central-east of Castilla y León. The important thing is that, starting on Wednesday, the situation increases in level, since the river depressions will stabilize in the thermal range of 40 to 42 ºC and cities such as Seville, Jaén, Badajoz and Ciudad Real will easily overcome the barrier of 40 ºC in the shade. The critical It will arrive on Friday, and if the forecasts of the European ECMWF model do not change, the run-up to the weekend will be the most suffocating day. For example, the area around Córdoba could register peaks of up to 44ºC, while areas such as Toledo or Zaragoza will orbit around 42ºC. On hold. Technically, the AEMET has not yet activated the official heat wave warning for this episode, since very strict criteria of intensity, territorial extension and duration must be met (a minimum of three consecutive days). However, with the model data in hand, everything indicates that we are on the verge of the fourth great wave of this season. That is why, despite the fact that at the moment only a rise in temperatures has been reported and they have activated different yellow and orange alerts In the national territory, in the next few hours this new heat wave could end up being confirmed. And the most important thing is that temperatures are not the only thing of concern, since there is also the possibility of storms appearing that could be locally intense. Images | Meteologix In Xataka | This map shows you all the active fires in Spain in real time, and can alert you if there is one near your home

Carrefour has this portable air conditioner without works so you can better cope with the heat waves this summer

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The summer heat waves They don’t let up and spending sleepless nights or working at home in the high temperatures can be very annoying and frustrating. For those who live in rent or simply do not want to get involved in renovations and wall installations, portable equipment or penguins continue to be the fastest and most effective way to keep the room cool. If you are looking for an immediate solution without making a large outlay, Carrefour has this portable air conditioner in its catalog. Carrefour Home HMAC9JT-25a model designed to cool medium-sized rooms without complications and that you can buy for 249 euros. Carrefour Home HMAC9JT-25 Portable Air Conditioner The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A good, pretty and cheap portable air conditioner The great balance of this portable air conditioner Carrefour Home lies in its balance between cooling capacity and ease of use. It has a cooling capacity of 2,250 frigories (about 9,000 BTU), more than enough power to air condition rooms between 15 and 20 square meterssuch as bedrooms, small living rooms or teleworking areas. Being a team of type penguinits implementation no professional installation required. Simply place it near a window, place the hot air evacuation tube using its basic kit and plug it into the mains. It incorporates multi-directional wheels and a carrying handle so you can comfortably move it between the living room during the day and the bedroom before going to sleep. Additionally, it includes a remote control to regulate the temperature and fan speed without leaving the sofa, as well as a programmable timer function so that the equipment turns off automatically during the night. ⚡ IN SUMMARY: Carrefour Home HMAC9JT-25 portable air conditioner ✅ THE BEST Without works or installations: does not require permits or modifications to the home; It is unpacked, the tube is placed towards the window and it begins to cool in minutes. Easy to move: Thanks to its multidirectional wheels and integrated handles, it allows you to air condition the living room during the day and move it to the bedroom at night. ❌ THE WORST Sound level… As with all monobloc portable air conditioners (with the compressor inside the device), the noise can be uncomfortable if you are a very light sleeper. Window efficiency… By requiring a tube to be taken outside, if you do not use an adequate sealing kit on the window, some of the heat from the street can sneak in. 💡 BUY IT IF… You live for rent is the perfect solution to get through the summer without having to drill a hole in the wall or invest in a fixed installation that you won’t be able to take with you. ⛔ DON’T BUY IT IF… If you intend to air condition a living room of more than 20 square meters or a room with very high ceilings, this model will fall short. You may also be interested EVVO Clima Silent – Portable Air Conditioner up to 14000 BTU with Heat Pump The price could vary. We earn commission from these links DREO 10000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Webedia and Carrefour In Xataka | Silent ceiling fan: which one to buy? Tips and recommendations In Xataka | Best portable air conditioners 2026. Which one to buy and six recommended penguins

Heat waves are already affecting tourism in Spain and we must reinvent ourselves as soon as possible

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Than the heat waves affect our health It’s something we’re starting to accept the hard way. However, the fact that they also affect the economy goes much more unnoticed by us. For example, in Spain they are having an increasingly notable effect on tourism. He recently demonstrated it a team of researchers from the Rey Juan Carlos University. In it, as well as in an informative article published in Science Media Center (SMC), these scientists point out how heat wave episodes are related to the behavior of international tourists, especially those from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Two close but different years. To carry out this study, data from 2022 and 2023 were compared, obtained from both the Frontur survey of the National Statistics Institute and the AEMET records. July 2022 had one of the most intense heat waves ever recorded in Spain; although get ready for 2022, coming 2026. July 2023, on the other hand, did not have extreme heat episodes. When comparing the data, it was seen that tourism did not stop arriving in Spain in 2022, but it is true that its behavior changed greatly and, in certain cases, it also decreased. Heat waves are already part of the planning. Before, when we organized our holidays, we took into account factors such as price, proximity to monuments or the possibility of taking excursions. Now, heat has become another factor that is taken into account. In fact, according to a survey by the European Travel Commission (ETC), 81% of Europeans say that climate change affects the way they travel. Of all of them, 15% said they seek milder climates, while 14% said they avoid destinations prone to extreme heat. In the case of foreigners who come to Spain, the study by the Rey Juan Carlos University has above all observed a reduction in the duration of stays in periods of intense heat. Furthermore, at the same time, many tourists have changed their favorite destinations for cooler places, known as coolcations. This is especially noticeable in the case of English tourists. The islands, the most affected. The island territories, in which extreme heat is combined with humidity during heat wavesare the ones who have experienced these effects the most. Above all, the study by the Rey Juan Carlos University speaks of a very intense effect in the Balearic Islands. They don’t want to come back. According to another study carried out by Caixa Bank Researchthe probability of a tourist returning to Spain when their stay has coincided with an extreme heat wave is reduced by 13.8%. Furthermore, in case they return, they usually choose colder destinations. Change of dates. In another studypublished in 2024 by scientists from several Valencian research centers, simulations of coupled air-sea regional climate models were carried out to study the climatic conditions on the Spanish Mediterranean coasts in the coming decades. It was observed that the temperature could possibly increase by 1ºC to 2ºC between 2025 and 2034 and by 3ºC to 4ºC between 2055 and 2064, so it is likely that tourism in these regions will not disappear, but will shift to autumn and spring, when there will be temperatures more similar to those that have attracted tourists until now. Reinvent yourself or die… from the heat. Many countries are already taking measures to avoid a massive flight of tourism and, of course, Spain has not been left behind. Here, for example, bars and restaurants are required to close their terraces during the hottest hours of the day in periods of heat waves. The authors of the SMC article, for their part, predict that “it will be necessary to incorporate the climate variable in the planning and management of tourism, reinforcing the comfort of visitors through shaded spaces or air-conditioned rooms and services designed to reduce thermal stress.” In short, “hotel establishments can play a fundamental role in this regard.” Despite everything, Mediterranean tourism continues to be the favorite of Europeans And despite everything, the Mediterranean resists. The Mediterranean Sea is a clear indicator of the evolution of climate change. The accelerated warming of its waters has raised the alarm about an increasingly worrying situation. However, its many tourist attractions continue to face heat waves; Well, despite everything mentioned, the south and the Mediterranean of Europe they remain the main option for spring and summer holidays, attracting 60% of European travelers. It does not seem that we are going to have a massive flight from tourism, but it is clear that it is going to transform, with shorter stays and early or late vacation periods. You just have to see how flights to tourist cities like Rome experience big price drops in August, only to suddenly rise in October, when temperatures stop being so stifling. In short, given that climate change, for the moment, is here to stay, tourism must reconvert. It must be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Now also climatically. Images | Magnificent In Xataka | Sea temperature continues to rise and experts are clear: “It is partly favored by the start of a new El Niño phenomenon”

Leroy Merlin reduces this portable air without works with which to alleviate the heat waves this summer (and also the cold of winter)

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If you are looking for a quick way to air-condition your home without getting into construction trouble or having to call installers, Leroy Merlin has just reduced one of those air conditioning devices that not only saves you the summer, but also the winter. It is about the Equation Cool&Heat 9K portable air conditionerwhich you can buy today for 259 euros. EQUATION Cool&Heat 9k 2236 fg/2150 kcal heat pump portable air conditioner The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A 4-in-1 penguin ideal for any time of the year The great advantage of this portable air conditioner It is its enormous versatility. We are not looking at the typical noisy device (it is not silent, mind you) that ends up collecting dust in the storage room as soon as September ends. By integrating a heat pump systemthis device is capable of becoming an efficient heating system for the winter months. To this, we must add its functions of fan (ideal for sweltering but not extreme days) and dehumidifierwhich makes it a key ally to combat environmental humidity that makes the thermal sensation at home much heavier and more annoying. with his refrigeration capacity of 2,236 frigoriesit is perfect for medium-sized rooms and another of its great assets is its philosophy Plug & Play. Forget about having to call an installer or drill holes in the wall; You just have to place the device near a window, place the hose with the sealing kit included and connect it to the power to start cooling any room in your home. Furthermore, having a compact design, multidirectional wheels and integrated handles, you can easily move it around the house according to your needs, keeping the living room cool during the day and moving it comfortably to the bedroom at night. This portable air conditioner comes equipped with a very intuitive LED display and a remote control so you don’t have to get up from the sofa or bed when changing the mode or speed of the air flow. It also incorporates a Night Mode and a 24-hour programmable timer. ⚡ IN BRIEF: offer for Equation Cool&Heat 9K portable air conditioner today ✅ THE BEST Zero installation complications: You save community licenses, technicians at home, drilling walls and hundreds of euros in labor. It’s just arrive, unfold the window kit and plug it in. Use 365 days a year: The inclusion of a heat pump prevents the device from being a useless “junk” during the winter, guaranteeing the return on investment throughout the year. ❌ THE WORST Sound level… As in all portable air conditioners, the compressor is inside the device itself and not on the façade, which generates a continuous noise level (between 50 and 65 dB) that can bother light sleepers. Efficiency compared to a fixed split… Although it cools quickly and directly, it consumes a little more energy than a fixed inverter system to maintain the same temperature in the long term. 💡 BUY IT IF… You live for rent. It is the definitive solution if your landlord does not allow work to be done or if you do not want to invest money in a property that is not yours. ⛔ DON’T BUY IT IF… You need absolute silence in the room to fall asleep, the constant hum of the compressor can be uncomfortable at night. You may also be interested EVVO Clima Silent – Portable Air Conditioner up to 14000 BTU with Heat Pump The price could vary. We earn commission from these links INFINITON | Portable Air Conditioner | PAC-S10 | 3000 Frigorias The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Webedia and Leroy Merlin In Xataka | Silent ceiling fan: which one to buy? Tips and recommendations In Xataka | Best portable air conditioners 2026. Which one to buy and six recommended penguins

What happens to your body during the summer because of the heat

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A couple of nights ago we had a thermal blowout in the city I live in. Many people around me noticed it. They heard the wind blowing against the windows and felt the temperature rise. I told them that I didn’t notice anything, that I always sleep very well. And it’s true, I sleep well. However, the next day I feel like I only slept 3 hours. This is not unusual, since high temperatures not only prevent us from falling asleep. Even if we feel like we’ve been asleep, the reality is that sleeping in the heat makes us wake up more tired for several reasons. Two reasons. There are two main reasons why it is difficult for us to sleep in the heat and, furthermore, we wake up tired. The first is insufficient cooling. At night, our body temperature drops, normally between 0.5ºC and 1ºC. This is essential for us to fall asleep. Therefore, if the ambient temperature is very high, we will not be able to cool ourselves properly. We may manage to sleep, but we will not rest properly. On the other hand, as homeothermic animals that we are, we have mechanisms that help us maintain our temperature within specific ranges, regardless of whether it is hot or cold. Two of these mechanisms, which are also closely linked to each other, are sweating and vasodilation. They are very necessary processes, which occur with more intensity when it is hotter. The problem is that, no matter how essential they are, when they occur too intensely, they can cause us some harm. Exactly, fatigue is one of them. The body is not cooled. Many of our physiological processes repeat periodically in 24-hour cycles known as circadian rhythms. Sleep is the best known of these processes.since every day we get up and go to bed at least once. A region of our brain known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus is the one that detects when it’s time to sleep and induces rest through various methods. For example, when it is daytime, the light that enters our retina tells the suprachiasmatic nucleus that we have to get up, which inhibits the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps us fall asleep. On the other hand, when the light falls, the opposite is done. The release of melatonin is stimulated. The thing is, melatonin is not the only driver of sleep. The suprachiasmatic nucleus also drives body cooling. If it is very hot, it is difficult to lower the temperature, but eventually it is achieved and we will be able to fall asleep. The problem is that during REM sleep, the body’s ability to regulate temperature It is practically deactivatedso we may wake up. Sometimes we don’t realize these awakenings. We feel like we can sleep warm. But we are not resting. Other times we do realize that we wake up and it is even worse. The tension on the floor. Vasodilation occurs to drive more blood close to the skin. This causes more heat to be conducted to that area. On the other hand, sweating is an excellent cooling mechanism. It consists of releasing a liquid composed mainly of water to the surface of the skin; which, once there, must evaporate. And what does that liquid need to evaporate? Indeed, heat. A heat that is extracted from within the body, thanks to this dilation of the blood vessels. This is magnificent. The problem is that excessive vasodilation leads to drops in blood pressurewhich greatly increase our feeling of tiredness. Furthermore, if we do not act accordingly, sweating can cause dehydration, which also makes us feel more tired. Or something worse. The fan may be a better option than air conditioning Solutions. There are many tips for sleeping in the heat, although they are usually insufficient when it is too suffocating. It is best to generate a current of air in the room between doors and windows and, if necessary, turn on a fan. Air conditioning is not so recommended. Taking a warm shower may also be good advice. Never cold, much less hot, as the body will have to invest too much energy to compensate for the temperature. With stifling heat, we are not about to waste extra energy. And, of course, avoiding heavy, alcoholic or spicy foods before bed is also a good option. Unfortunately, with these suffocating nights that we are having to livewe have no choice but to sleep in the heat. These tips can help us rest a little better, although they are not miraculous. You may also wake up tired. When you feel this way, remember the importance of combating climate change. Image | Magnificent In Xataka | These days I’m having a hard time falling asleep because of the heat. But put this device on and sleep soundly

Spain is going to have three heat waves in six weeks. AEMET is clear: it is no longer a wave, it is the climate

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Spain has just signed its start to the warmest summer in the historical series. There it is nothing. Between June 1 and July 15, the average temperature was 3.3 ºC above normal. In these six weeks, we have suffered two official heat waves, an extreme episode that did not become extreme and, according to AEMETwe are already on the rise of the next wave this Sunday. So much so that the heat begins to be the least of it. The central question of 2026 is simple: if we cross the heat threshold three times in five weeks, isn’t something broken in that threshold? In Xataka "It’s brutal": Meteorologists have taken a look at the heat forecasts for next week and they are not optimistic The third wave does not exist yet. I don’t want to mislead anyone. AEMET has issued an information note (it is not yet a special notice) and this is because, although we know that there will be a generalized thermal rise, the criteria remain extremely strict. Spokesman Rubén del Campo talked about temperatures “extraordinarily high” and maximum temperatures of up to 44 ºC in the southern half. But the duration, extent and strength is yet to be defined. What is clear is that, if it were not, it would be just barely. That’s why what happens next week doesn’t change the general picture. Not only would it be three or four extreme heat episodes in six weeks, but some climatologists such as Jorge Olcina They also add the “Saharan advection at the end of May” and speak of four episodes in eight weeks. With old reference periods, we would probably be in those terms. But how explained José Ángel Núñez and Rubén del Campo On the agency’s official blog, the definition is not touched, precisely, to see things like what we are seeing. That is, what the threshold is doing is clearly showing that everything is changing. According to the agency’s own studybetween 2001 and 2025 Spain registered 91 heat waves compared to 43 in the period 1976-2000, and the days under the wave went from 210 to 510. This summer does not fit the threshold, it is true. But it fits perfectly with the trend. In Xataka Today the heatwave begins and the meteorologists are clear: "They paint coarse for the Mediterranean regions of Spain" And that’s the problem. The ISCIII MoMo system, the statistical model that indicates excess mortality, attributed 3,649 deaths to the heat last summer, the second worst figure of the decade. The problem here, as we pointed out a few days ago, is that in 2026 we will already we have spent half of that excess before the dog days begin (the worst part of summer). Meteorology has shown us that, at any moment, the situation can change suddenly. What remains is to wait, but the feeling that the world is changing faster than our adaptations to it has stopped being a fear and has begun to become something very real. Image | Meteociel In Xataka |Neither London nor the United Kingdom: the NASA map that reveals where the grayest sky in Europe is (function() { window._JS_MODULES = window._JS_MODULES || {}; var headElement = document.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)(0); if (_JS_MODULES.instagram) { var instagramScript = document.createElement(‘script’); instagramScript.src=”https://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js”; instagramScript.async = true; instagramScript.defer = true; headElement.appendChild(instagramScript); – The news Spain is going to have three heat waves in six weeks. AEMET is clear: it is no longer a wave, it is the climate was originally published in Xataka by Javier Jimenez .

We think that the fan saves us from the heat, but above 35 degrees it achieves exactly the opposite effect.

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With the arrival of high temperatures, the fan becomes a great ally in many homes that cannot have the air conditioning on all day long. When you turn it on, it blows the air into your face and you feel almost immediate relief from the heat, but the reality is that we do not have this effect at any temperature, since there is a point beyond which it not only stops being useful, but can become our worst enemy. It doesn’t cool the air. To understand why a fan can be dangerous, you first have to understand how it works. Just like point out the guidelines of the According to the WHO on indoor temperatures, fans do not lower the temperature of the room even a single degree, since all they do is move the air. The relief we feel is due to a purely physiological mechanism which is the evaporation of sweat. By moving the air around us, the fan accelerates the evaporation of moisture from our skin, which “steals” heat from our body and cools us down. But the problem comes when the air in the room is hotter than our own body. The critical point. The normal temperature of human skin is around 35ºC and thermoregulation systems try to keep it that way. The problem arises when the ambient temperature of the room exceeds that figure, since the fan will begin to move air that is hotter than the temperature of our skin, and instead of dissipating body heat, it will be injecting heat from the environment directly. And it is something that is supported, for example, by the Basque Government’s Heat Plan, which point that fans stop being effective and useful when the air exceeds 35-36 °C. But in the United States they are even more demanding, since the CDC advise against its use above 32.2 ºC. Beyond temperature. Although the general rule says that above 35 ° C you should turn off the fan, science suggests that humidity matters as much or more than temperature. Thus, in dry heat conditions the fan is harmful, since if the air is hot and dry, the sweat evaporates on its own without needing help from the fan. But turning on the fan only pushes hot air against the skin. In the case of being in a humid environment, sweat does not evaporate as well, and that is why we feel ‘sticky’, especially in a coastal environment. In this scenario, the fan does help to break up that layer of humidity, and the Sydney studies showed that they can continue to be beneficial even up to 42°C. The most vulnerable. Despite these data, the highest authority in medical literature review, Cochrane, posted a review in which it points out that there is no high-quality evidence that unequivocally demonstrates that fans reduce the adverse impacts on heat waves. The reason is precisely in the mix of factors such as humidity, age and, above all, the state of health with which we face these high temperatures. But we must focus above all on age, which is a critical factor, since the body’s ability to sweat and thermoregulate decreases with age or with certain medications. This is why a fan can save a young person from trouble, but it can dehydrate and cause heat stroke in an older person under the same conditions. Images | Dương Nhân In Xataka | What science says about the “trick” of two crossed fans to cool the house: it works, but with limits

extreme heat has put parmesan cheese in danger of extinction

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Summer has started strong with a heat wave that has affected all of Europe and experts are already warning that an even worse one is coming. Extreme temperatures not only affect us, animals also suffer from them and it is wreaking havoc on a very important industry in Italy, that of Parmesan cheese. what’s happening. They tell it in Reuters: Extreme heat is threatening the production of the most famous Italian cheese. The maximum temperatures, which can exceed 40 degrees, cause the cows to eat less, spend more time lying down and consequently produce less milk, the main ingredient in this cheese. Specifically, up to 10% less. Cool cattle. Livestock farmers decades ago only had to open the windows of the stables at night so that the livestock could cope better with the heat, but now this is no longer enough. The windows are constantly open and some ranchers have installed fans with water misters to lower the temperature a little more. The energy cost. The problem with installing these fans is that farms have seen their electricity bills increase. It is also being a problem for the companies that store the parmesan wheels, whose air conditioning systems have increased energy consumption by up to 30% more to maintain the optimal storage temperature, but the expense goes beyond the refrigeration itself. Giancarlo Ravanetti is the director of one of these facilities, known as “The Bank of Parmigiano”, and stores half a million wheels of parmesan worth 300 million euros. Speaking to Reuters, he indicated that “To make our facilities as energy efficient as possible, we have improved our cooling and boiler systems, modernized building insulation and increased renewable energy production.” Without grass, there is no parmesan. There are still more problems. Authentic Parmigiano Reggiano is produced in five provinces within the Emilia-Romagna region. To receive the designation of origin, the cows must be fed with grass and hay grown in this area, but with the heat and lack of rain this is an impossible task. The president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium laments that “If it does not rain, the grass does not grow, hay cannot be produced and it is impossible to obtain the milk necessary to make cheese.” A million-dollar industry. Parmesan is not only an icon of Italian cuisine, it is also the industry that supports much of the economy of Emilia-Romagna, where it employs thousands of people. It is estimated that it generates about 4.5 billion euros annually, of which half comes from exports, with the US being its main client. According to Paolo Ganzerli, sales director of the GranTerre food group, the situation is critical: “If extreme events become longer and more intense, they will undoubtedly have an impact on both the quantity and quality of milk, but above all they will cause an increase in costs.” And he adds that “Parmigiano Reggiano has been around for more than 800 years. We don’t want to be the last generation to eat it.” Image | Unsplash, edited Direct to the Palate | How Italians have made Parmesan cheese known (and imitated) all over the world

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