The recurrence of extreme weather events is changing our lives: shelters and climate refugees

There are more and more climate shelter initiatives in cities, as well as migratory movements of the population forced by climate extremes.

Urban park
Urban parks are increasingly necessary places to combat episodes of high temperatures, which have their maximum expression in extreme heat waves.

Extreme heat is increasingly affecting us more extensively, as a consequence of the unstoppable advance of global warming. The rising trend in temperatures forces us to implement adaptation measures to counteract the negative impacts of heat on our health, particularly on the most vulnerable groups.

Having green areas in cities is more important than ever, although it is not enough. We hear more and more about climate shelters as one of the ways to protect ourselves from long exposure to intense heat.

Although there are several recommended precautionary measures you can take (keeping well hydrated, wearing appropriate clothing, seeking shade and ventilated areas), the increasing magnitude of extreme heat events is forcing us to allocate specific spaces to provide adequate protection not accessible to the whole population.

The definition of a climatic refuge is very broad since it encompasses both natural and urban areas whose characteristics facilitate temperature regulation despite heat or lack of water. In urban areas, 'green spaces' help to provide refuge and relief where there is abundant shade and sources of drinking water.

In the current climate framework, urban planning must focus on these type of spaces, preserving those that already exist and increasing the surface area of green, shaded spaces that serve as climatic refuges.

The green island of the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid

On July 11, the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Madrid opened a new green interior space to the public, installed in the Ballroom. In addition to fulfilling the function of a climate refuge, it also serves as a reminder of the climate emergency and the increasing need to protect ourselves from extreme heat, such as that affecting Europe at the end of July.

Green island of the Circle of Fine Arts of Madrid
Green space opened during the summer of 2024 in the Círculo de Bellas Artes Ballroom in Madrid, designed as a climate refuge. Source: nanarquitectura.com

The space will remain open until 31st August this year and is open to the public, free of charge. An island of freshness, thanks to the abundant vegetation that has been installed there, not only offering visitors relief from high temperatures, but also providing a sociable, relaxing space.

Additionally the space will be used to carry out a wide range of cultural activities focussing on climate change and sustainability including workshops, meetings, concerts and performances.

Forced migrations due to climate

Extreme heat waves, in combination with very high humidity, long-lasting droughts and the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, have begun to force mass migrations of people to other regions in order to secure their survival.

Climate migrations are already a fact, they are predicted to increase as this century progresses, which will present a major challenge for humanity.

Climate migration
Climate migrations are an emerging phenomenon. Catastrophic floods in particularly vulnerable areas, and droughts are currently the causes of the greatest displacement of people.

Flood impacts are rapidly increasing in some densely populated regions of the world, such as parts of Asia. The most recent projections suggest a significant increase in the probability of at least one catastrophic coastal flood per year starting in 2050 in Bangladesh, India or China. 300 million people currently live in the coastal areas vulnerable to flooding in these three countries.

Climate projections extending to 2100 estimate that sea levels will rise enough to cover a territory where 200 million people currently live. In these and other coastal areas, megacities have been forming to accommodate the continuous trickle of people migrating from rural inland areas. People migrating from these areas have experienced no shortage of droughts which have made things increasingly difficult for them to survive, triggering the exodus to these coastal cities in search of a “better” life.

Although today most climate migrations occur internally within countries, continuous uncontrolled and chaotic growth of city suburbs has resulted in deteriorating living conditions. These coastal cities have continued to be hit by maritime storms and sea level rises with increasing force. As a result we are likely to see a second phase in which waves of people from these increasingly uninhabitable cities will move to other places in the world. More people will be at risk of becoming climate refugees, and climate refuges will become even more vital.