How Africa’s first heat officer is protecting women in Sierra Leone
Eugenia Kargbo, Africa's first chief heat officer, is leading efforts to make Freetown, Sierra Leone, greener and more livable amid rising temperatures. Sierra Leone is the 18th most climate vulnerable country in the world and the extreme heat poses significant challenges for residents, especially for women and those working outdoor and informal jobs. Kargbo's initiatives include installing shade covers with solar panels in markets and reflective roofs in informal settlements to reduce heat and combat the ‘urban heat island’ phenomenon. Despite these efforts, scaling up projects remains difficult due to financial constraints. Freetown's vulnerability to climate change is severe and, while local measures are helping, broader global actions to reduce fossil fuel emissions are crucial to curb climate change and support long-term resilience.