Indigenous practices to avoid heat makes people more climate resilient

Researchers studied heat-related deaths in the Northern Territory and found that despite spending substantially more time in air-conditioned space over the past 40 years, people have paradoxically become more vulnerable to heat-related deaths.

According to the study published today in the Lancet, non-Indigenous Australians are 18 per cent more likely to die during a hot stretch of days than at other times.

However, Indigenous Territorians do not have an increased risk of death during heat waves as they have developed ways to better withstand hot weather.

"It's generally accepted that technological innovations such as air-conditioning are critical in preparing for hotter climates," lead author Dr Simon Quilty from the Australian National University said.

"But our research shows that the social and cultural practices developed by First Nations people over generations, such as reducing physical exertion in hotter parts of the day, are powerful mechanisms for protecting human health."

Cultural heat avoidant practices like the Spanish siesta, or simply avoiding the afternoon sun, may provide powerful protection against heat extremes.

With an El-Nino weather pattern likely to be declared soon, Australia is facing a hotter and drier summer.

The findings should inform better housing policy and design in warm climates, according to co-author Warumungu elder and native title holder Norman Frank Jupurrurla.

"Today we still live like we used to live in humpies, our houses are poor and overcrowded...these houses have been built for England or cold country. We need houses to be built for this hot climate here in Tennant Creek today," he said.

Mr Jupurrurla said Indigenous people were attuned to their environment and would avoid physical activity and desert areas in the summertime.

"In the old days, in the wintertime, people would walk out in the desert, collecting seeds and bush potato when it was cool. In summertime they would live in the river and creek country. In the very hot weather they'd be around the spring country where they could get water," he said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Learning from First Nations people could help non-Indigenous Australians adapt to a changing climate.

"An afternoon nap can help your body acclimatise, protects you from the hottest part of the day, costs nothing and has no carbon footprint," Dr Quilty said.

"This is a story of how Aboriginal culture and knowledge of environment has enabled extraordinary resilience to extreme weather."

Without adaptation, climate change is projected to increase heat-associated mortality globally with disproportionate outcomes in hotter and poorer countries.