Delhi stands at the forefront of the Climate Crisis, facing relentless and punishing heat waves every summer.
Extreme temperatures are taking a toll on everyone, especially those working outdoors. Rickshaw pullers, street vendors, and construction workers risk themselves every day to earn a living under the scorching sun, with prolonged exposure to unbearable heat.
As temperatures soar again, this year brings a new dawn of hope. Communities across Delhi are coming together to stand strong against the heat.
Communities are setting up cooling points centers, and they are not just utilising this opportunity to help each other, but they are passing on a strong message, a powerful message that extreme heat cannot dampen the spirit of Delhi.
Cooling points
Greenpeace, along with its allies—the National Hawker Federation and Basti Suraksha Manch—was in action over the past couple of weeks. Together, we were able to set up cooling points at multiple locations across the city. During the first phase of our initiative, nine cooling points were established, and one community tap was repaired.
These cooling points not only serve as places for people to hydrate themselves but also act as community hubs where people celebrate their togetherness and resilience in facing the extreme heat.
Songs were sung, experiences of dealing with Delhi’s harsh summer were shared, and people came together to spend quality time with each other.
A visual depiction of #DelhiRising
Currently, 10 cooling points are active across Delhi through our efforts, and we have 28 more to go! As we speak, the number of cooling points and urgent needs is expected to rise as we move into an even more intense summer this year.
How can you join the cause? You can adopt a cooling point!
Each cooling point costs Rs 5,000, covering a setup of three matkas (earthen pots) along with a stand.
Your contribution not only provides essential relief but also serves as a powerful reminder that communities can step up together in the face of relentless heat.
