How Asia’s poor are handling the heatwave is inspiring – but also worrying

June 23, 2024

Good morning

To beat the heat, you and I might turn on the AC or reach for ice cream in the freezer. For millions of Asia’s poor in slum housing, those aren’t options.

Basic ice has been their secret to enduring this year’s record heatwave. It goes into bath water, is used to turn fans into ‘air-conditioning’. But, as with any precious commodity, prices have soared – and buying ice can mean forgoing other necessities. This is part of the socio-economic reality of An Unequal Heatwave.