The ‘silent killer’: what you need to know about heatwaves
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#1
What You Need to Know About Heatwaves
關於熱浪，你需要知道的事
#2
Heatwaves have become more dangerous as the climate has changed in recent decades.
隨著近幾十年來氣候的變化，熱浪已變得更加危險。
#3
Doctors have called extreme heat a "silent killer" because it causes serious health risks for millions of people.
醫生們將極端高溫稱為「無聲殺手」，因為它給數百萬人帶來了嚴重的健康風險。
#4
An estimated half a million people around the world die from heat-related causes every year.
據估計，全球每年有五十萬人死於與高溫相關的原因。
#5
This number is higher than the number of deaths caused by wars or terrorism each year.
這個數字比每年因戰爭或恐怖主義所造成的死亡人數還要高。
#6
However, heat is rarely listed as the official cause of death on medical records.
然而，高溫很少在醫療記錄上被列為官方的死亡原因。
#7
This is because extreme temperatures are mostly indirect killers that make existing illnesses worse.
這是因為極端溫度大多是間接殺手，會使現有的疾病惡化。
#8
Most victims of heatwaves die early from diseases of the heart, lungs, or kidneys, which are made worse by hot weather.
大多數熱浪的受害者都因心臟、肺部或腎臟疾病而提早死亡，而這些疾病會因為炎熱的天氣而惡化。
#9
Doctor Maria Santos, a public health expert, has said that "many people do not realize how dangerous a heatwave can be for their health."
公共衛生專家瑪麗亞·桑托斯醫生曾表示：「許多人並未意識到熱浪對他們的健康會造成多大的危害。」
#10
Extreme heat puts great stress on the human body, especially on the heart and kidneys.
極端高溫會給人體帶來極大的壓力，特別是對心臟和腎臟。
#11
These organs have to work much harder to keep the body cool when temperatures rise.
當氣溫上升時，這些器官必須更賣力地運作以保持身體涼爽。
#12
The added strain can be fatal for people who already have chronic illnesses.
增加的負擔對於那些已經患有慢性疾病的人來說可能是致命的。
#13
There are also secondary dangers from heatwaves, which include dirtier air, larger wildfires, and more frequent power outages.
熱浪還會帶來次要的危險，其中包括更髒的空氣、更嚴重的野火以及更頻繁的停電。
#14
All of these problems can put extra pressure on hospitals and health systems.
所有這些問題都會給醫院和醫療系統帶來額外的壓力。
#15
Scientists have also warned that warm nights are a serious danger during a heatwave.
科學家們也警告，在熱浪期間，炎熱的夜晚是一個嚴重的威脅。
#16
When days are too hot and nights do not cool down enough, the body cannot rest and recover properly.
當白天太熱且夜晚不夠涼爽時，身體就無法得到適當的休息與恢復。
#17
This problem compounds the damage that is done during extremely hot days.
這個問題加劇了在極度炎熱的日子裡所造成的傷害。
#18
In many European countries, meteorologists describe nights above 20 degrees Celsius as "tropical nights."
在許多歐洲國家，氣象學家將攝氏 20 度以上的夜晚稱為「熱帶夜」。
#19
These warm nights have become more common because of climate change.
由於氣候變遷，這些溫暖的夜晚已變得更加常見。
#20
There are several protection measures that people can take to stay safe during a heatwave.
有幾項保護措施是人們在熱浪期間可以採取以保持安全的。
#21
Experts recommend drinking plenty of water, staying indoors during the hottest hours, and wearing light clothing.
專家建議多喝水、在最炎熱的時段待在室內，並穿著輕便的衣物。
#22
Professor James Liu, a climate researcher, has explained that "communities need better warning systems so that vulnerable people can be protected before a heatwave arrives."
氣候研究員詹姆斯·劉教授解釋說：「社區需要更好的預警系統，以便在熱浪來襲之前保護易受傷害的人群。」
#23
Governments around the world have been urged to invest in better heat action plans to reduce the danger of this growing threat.
世界各地的政府都被敦促投資於更好的高溫應對計畫，以減少這一日益增長威脅的危險。