Well, Let Them Eat Ice By James Reed

     I don’t normally like any of the journalism of Caroline Overington, but she did a great piece, “Exorbitant Energy Bills Can be A Death Sentence If You’re Old and Short of Cash,” The Weekend Australian, September 23-24, 2017, p. 17.

     The point made is that rising energy bills, something that will be talked about at the League National Weekend, 14 and 15 October, 2017, threaten the vulnerable who cannot afford sky high energy bills, and many will die. Winter can be harsh, but it is always possible to struggle through using plenty of warm clothes. But, hot summers are a killer, and a real danger. The heat can offer seemingly no escape.

     Obviously, the energy cost issue needs a political resolution. Until that comes, the poor will need to be very careful and investigate ways of regulating temperature, perhaps even moving, or finding some other way to keep cool. Perhaps the hottest part of the day could be spend in libraries or community centres. Universities are often open until late, and it would put them to some good use, apart from all of the evil that they generate. Overall, some careful alternative planning is needed; these sites may help:
https://greatist.com/happiness/tricks-to-sleep-in-the-heat
https://urbansurvivalsite.com/ways-to-stay-cool-without-power/
https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/01/top-10-ways-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning/

     In short, the dispossessed are being forced to live back in the 18th century, if not Medieval period. So, it is appropriate to learn how people in those times coped with such issues.