Churches could become cooling centers during heat waves

(Image credit: AP Photo/John Bazemore) Transcript: As the climate warms, faith leaders are helping protect their communities against the perils of rising temperatures. Lewis: “In most faiths, there is a call to care for people who are in need. Through this work, we’re helping people reframe what that looks like in their communities, … and right now it looks like responding to extreme heat.” Michelle Lewis of Duke University is helping faith leaders in rural parts of the Carolinas learn how to support their communities during heat waves. Lewis: “Faith communities historically have been willing to step up when no one else would, and they’re still very trusted in rural communities.” So through sermons, liturgies, book studies, and other programs, faith leaders can share information about the dangers of heat and how to stay safe. To give them the tools they need to provide that education, Lewis and her colleagues at Duke have launched the Cooling Communities Network. It offers trainings, resources, and peer support. And it helps faith leaders identify opportunities to take action beyond education – for example, by opening as a cooling center. Some participants will also be selected to receive solar panels and battery storage, so if the grid goes down, they can still power up to run air conditioning – and help those in need find relief. Reporting credit: Myriam Vidal Valero / ChavoBart Digital Media