Taiwan and Japan have agreed to work together to protect people from extreme heat. On Saturday, three organizations from the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Kaohsiung to share technologies and measures against rising temperatures caused by climate change.
The partnership includes the Taiwan Association of Disaster Prevention Industry, the Japan Management Association, and a disaster safety council from Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture. Together, they will promote new cooling technologies, disaster preparation products, and green business opportunities.
Taiwan's Environment Minister, Peng Chi-ming, spoke at the signing ceremony. He explained that governments must do more than just reduce carbon emissions. They also need to help people adapt to a hotter future. Peng warned that temperatures in Taiwan could go above 40 degrees Celsius in the future, which could threaten public health, workers, and the economy.
To keep cities cool, Peng suggested focusing on green spaces instead of just building concrete structures or using artificial shade. He mentioned Singapore's green city design as a good example.
The Environment Ministry also shared its online "Cool Map." This map lists 9,641 cooling locations across Taiwan where people can go to escape the heat. These spaces include supermarkets, convenience stores, community centers, and government offices.
During the event in Kaohsiung, companies demonstrated new cooling systems. These included smart systems to monitor heat risks at work sites, cooling rest stations, and new Japanese products designed to prevent heat-related illnesses.