Greenpeace calls on Taiwan's govt to protect children from extreme heat

Taipei, Nov. 21 (CNA) Greenpeace on Friday urged the government to better protect children from extreme heat, citing a study showing that newer city parks lacked shaded structures in Taiwan, exposing children to unhealthy heat levels.

At a press event outside the Ministry of Environment (MOENV), Greenpeace shared the results of a study that monitored daytime conditions at 16 parks from June to August.

The parks were either built or renovated within the past decade, and were located in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hsinchu County and Hsinchu City.

The study found that while heat levels in nine of the 16 parks constantly hit ranges associated with increased heat-injury risks, most of the parks' playground equipment was directly exposed to the sun.

The peak ultraviolet levels recorded in two parks were also high enough to cause sunburn in children within 20 minutes, adding to the dangers of prolonged exposure, the study showed.

The lack of shade also created burn risks on the ground, as the highest surface temperatures recorded in all 16 parks exceeded 48 degrees Celsius, with some playground surfaces -- covered with either rubber mats or artificial turf -- reaching over 70 degrees.

Yang Hsin-ju (楊馨茹), an assistant professor at Tainan University of Technology, who hosted the study, said the parks were underequipped against the summer heat, and recommended installing more shade and real-time weather monitoring.

Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Hsin Yi (忻儀) said the government's National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan lacks measures addressing the vulnerability of children, urging a revision.

In response, the MOENV said in a statement that the government will "listen to the needs of the youth and other vulnerable groups" and include heat prevention in its future policies, but it did not outline specific measures.

The action plan was first introduced in 2013, and has since been implemented in phases to "strengthen the nation's resilience against climate change," according to the Executive Yuan's website.