Extreme Heat in

Negros Oriental,
Philippines
Negros Oriental, a province in the Philippines, is facing
the devastating impact of extreme heat, posing a serious
threat to the well-being and dignity of its residents. This
presentation will explore the connection between
extreme heat, human suffering, and Catholic social
teaching.
by Group 3
Lesson 1: Suffering, Justice, and
Human Dignity
1 Suffering 2 Lack of 3 Threat to
from Access to Human
Extreme Heat Cooling Dignity
Intense heat Many people in The inability to
waves can lead to Negros Oriental lack escape the
heat exhaustion, access to air relentless heat
heatstroke, and conditioning or other undermines the
even death, cooling resources, basic human
disproportionately exacerbating the dignity and well-
affecting the most impact of extreme being of those
vulnerable heat. affected.
populations.
Extreme Heat and its Impact on Human
Dignity
Physical Suffering Psychological Distress Economic Hardship
Extreme heat can lead The constant exposure The inability to work or
to dehydration, heat to extreme heat can access basic necessities
exhaustion, and heat also cause anxiety, due to extreme heat can
stroke, causing depression, and a exacerbate poverty and
physical pain and sense of helplessness, inequality, further
discomfort. further eroding human undermining human
dignity. dignity.
Lesson 2: 7 Themes of Catholic Social
Teaching - Care for God's Creation

Dignity of Common Care for Option for the Poor

the Human Good God's and Vulnerable
Person Creation
Extreme heat The impact of The root cause The poor and
threatens the extreme heat of extreme heat vulnerable are
basic dignity affects the entire is climate disproportionate
and well-being community, change, which is ly affected by
of all people, requiring a direct result of extreme heat,
especially the collective action human's impact requiring a
most vulnerable. to protect the on the special
common good. environment. consideration
and care.
Extreme Heat and its Connection to
Climate Change
1 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels,
contribute to the release of greenhouse gases that trap heat in
the atmosphere.

2 Global Temperature Rise

The increased concentration of greenhouse gases is causing the
overall global temperature to rise, leading to more frequent
and intense heat waves.

3 Extreme Weather Events

Climate change is also causing more extreme weather events,
such as droughts, floods, and hurricanes, which can exacerbate
the effects of extreme heat.
Lesson 3: Awareness, Analysis, Action
(Power over, Power with)

Awareness Analysis Action

Educating the Analyzing the root Taking action to
community about the causes of extreme mitigate and adapt to
causes and impacts of heat, such as the role extreme heat, through
extreme heat is the of climate change both individual and
first step towards and social collective efforts, is
addressing the issue. inequalities, is crucial necessary to protect
for developing human dignity and
effective solutions. the common good.
Raising Awareness and Analyzing the
Causes of Extreme Heat
Awareness Campaigns
Organizing public awareness
campaigns to educate the
community about the risks and
causes of extreme heat.
Data Collection
Gathering and analyzing data on
the frequency, intensity, and
impact of extreme heat events to
better understand the problem.
Community Engagement
Engaging with local leaders,
religious groups, and community
organizations to facilitate
discussions and gather insights
about the issue.
Root Cause Analysis
Investigating the underlying
factors, such as climate change
and social inequalities, that
contribute to the extreme heat
crisis.
Taking Action: Strategies for
Mitigating and Adapting to Extreme
Heat
Mitigation Strategies Adaptation Strategies
Improving access to cooling
Promoting renewable energy sources centers and shelters
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions Enhancing early warning
systems for heat waves

Advocating for climate-friendly policies Providing heat-resistant

housing and infrastructure

By raising awareness, analyzing the causes, and taking collective action, we

can work together to mitigate and adapt to the extreme heat crisis, ensuring the
protection of human dignity and the common good.