Australia Urged to Name Heatwaves to Highlight Threats

In this photo illustration a thermometer is seen on the banks of the Swan River on January 22, 2022 in Perth, Australia. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images

Australia has been urged to follow Spain’s lead and start naming heatwaves so people grasp how lethal and disruptive they can be.

Heatwaves are Australia’s deadliest natural hazard and climate change means they are now more frequent, more intense and last longer.