As the heat wave in China becomes worse, students in the eastern regions are being forced to leave their hot dorm rooms. There is no air conditioning in the dorm rooms, which are usually shared by four to eight students. Many people can’t stand being inside when the temperature rises above 40°C (104°F).
Students are making things up in response. Some people set up tents in air-conditioned hallways. Some people sleep on library floors, while others find shelter in supermarkets and convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day. Some people check into hotels only to enjoy a nice night’s sleep in cold air when they can afford it.
A 20-year-old student from Changchun said, “We sometimes go out to stay in hotels just for the air conditioning.” But he swiftly added, “For us students, checking into a hotel is a big cost.”
When students don’t have a lot of money, they get inventive. That same student puts a bowl of ice in front of a little electric fan, which he calls his “homemade air-conditioner.” This kind of setup is the only way for a lot of people to deal with the heat that never stops.
How hot and early is this year’s heat wave in China?
This year’s catastrophic heat wave in China came early. The sanfu season, which is the hottest period of the year in China, usually starts around the middle of July. But this year, dangerously high temperatures hit in late June, taking millions of people off unprepared.
Cities all around eastern China have recorded midday temperatures consistently reaching 40°C in just the past week. Nighttime temperatures, which usually bring some reprieve, have stayed above 30°C, giving little relief.
These harsh conditions have already caused a catastrophe. A well-known dormitory guard at Qingdao University was found deceased in his room. The official cause of death is still being looked at, but many people think heatstroke had something to do with it. Students affectionately called him “Uncle.” He was a calm, compassionate man who took care of stray cats on campus.
One student commented on social media, “He always took care of the kittens.” “Now they don’t know that Uncle is far away.”
That same day, another student at the university had to go to the hospital because of heat stroke. The two events have raised national concerns about the safety of dorms and the working conditions of staff.
What are colleges and students doing to stay cool?
The extreme heat has made universities and students respond quickly. Students have moved into libraries in a few cities because they are one of the only places with working air conditioning. Some people have taken over grocery stores and even subway stations.
A university in Shandong Province acted quickly after news reports showed students squatting at stores. The school opened its library as a temporary place for students to sleep who were having trouble with the heat. Other colleges are now thinking about doing the same thing.
In Jilin Province, students have been observed sleeping in tents that are set up along air-conditioned hallways. “Without air conditioning, it’s too hot to live,” one kid stated.
Several institutions have said they will put air conditioning units in dorms for the summer break. This is a long-overdue gesture that has made students feel better and hopeful.
What effects does the extreme heat wave in China have on daily life?
The unprecedented heat wave in China is having an effect on more than just college campuses. A passenger in Zhejiang broke the window of a train that had gone off the tracks after people had been stuck inside for hours without any air. People are sweating a lot and gasping for air in videos of the scenario.
In Jiangxi Province, older people are spending hours inside fast food places and restaurants to get away from the heat. A lot of people don’t order meals, which has made things tense with the staff, but also shows how few public cooling areas there are.
Last year, China set a record for the highest temperature ever in Xinjiang: 52.5°C. And 2024 was the hottest year in the country since records began in 1961. This year looks like it will keep going in the same direction. Read another article on China’s airspace violation
Is climate change to blame for more heatwaves?
Experts say that the unprecedented heat wave in China is part of a pattern that is happening all across the world because of climate change. Not just in China, but throughout the world, heatwaves are getting longer and stronger.
The Lancet says that in 2022, over 50,000 people in China died because of the heat. As summer temperatures rise and cities are more crowded, that figure is certain to go up.
A college student from northern China said, “When I was a kid, summers here were cool and breezy.” Now, every year they become hotter and more deadly.
What are the police and universities doing about the crisis?
China’s energy officials said that air conditioning now uses more than a third of the power in the eastern area. This caused the demand for electricity in the whole country to reach an all-time high in early July.
Several colleges have sped up upgrades to their buildings to keep students safe and stop future problems. The dorm guard at Qingdao University died, and the school said that all of its dorms will have air conditioning before the new session.
These steps are good, but they aren’t enough. All schools need to have clear rules for staying safe in the heat, emergency cooling facilities, and better ventilation on campus.
What needs to happen next?
The unprecedented heat wave in China isn’t just a weather occurrence; it’s a wake-up call. To deal with a changing climate, student health, campus infrastructure, and public readiness all need to get better.
Schools need to focus on long-term improvements instead of merely short-term remedies. A secure learning environment today needs reliable air conditioning, covered outdoor areas, and access to emergency care.
In conclusion, students need to be protected right away.
The unprecedented heat wave in China has shown how sensitive children and staff are to rising temperatures. What used to be a few bad days a year is gradually becoming a long-term hazard to public health.
Local governments and universities need to act immediately, not just for comfort but also for safety. China can better handle future heatwaves by improving its infrastructure, making strategies for how to deal with heat, and teaching people about it.
The time for short-term help is over. Now is the time for a change that will last.
