According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the national mean temperature last year hit 1.46 degrees above the 1961-1990 average.

For many of us, the struggles of intense and prolonged summer days are all too familiar. As climate change continues, heat waves are becoming increasingly dangerous, and, more frequent, termed by Sweltering Cities as the nation’s deadliest climate disaster.

So what does extreme heat mean for our suburbs? Our homes? Our health and our country? And why is awareness of extreme heat more important than ever?

Next month, Australia will see its first ever Extreme Heat Awareness Day, calling for community involvement and action from leaders.

Image: Shutterstock

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Emma Bacon – Executive Director Sweltering Cities , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 23 January 2025