SWANA Inventions to Survive the Heat

By Giorgia Piantanida

Wind Catchers in Yazd, Iran

The SWANA region is no stranger to record breaking heat temperatures - they have long been exposed to some of the harshest climates on the planet. However, as climate change has been ratcheting up the thermometer, the region is increasingly having to scramble to adapt and face the consequences of crippling heat. While there have been no feasible, effective long term solutions offered to abate climate disaster, there are three main inventions from the SWANA region that have been important in attempts to survive the heat. They are unique to the region, and have been developed through centuries of experience. Now is our chance to break them down, and explore their benefits, as well as limits. 

1. Wind Catchers

In Iran, ancient wind catchers can be found as symbols of what ancient civilizations built in order to tackle hot temperatures. They are “tall, chimney-like structures” that rise above the older homes in Iran’s desert cities. Put simply, they harness cool breezes that are above the city and direct them downwards, either into homes or into storage rooms to refrigerate perishable foods. Studies have shown that these towers can cool spaces up to 10 degrees. And these wind towers are not limited to Iran - they have been found across the SWANA region, as well as Pakistan and India. While it is not known whether they originated in Iran or in Egypt, they were certainly key technologies that helped people stay cool long before AC systems had been dreamed up. 

2. Headscarves

Headscarves are an important part of the cultural, traditional clothing in the MENA region, but they also serve a functional purpose. They tend to be light in color, which helps reflect the heat of the sun, while also covering the neck and face in order to prevent sunburns. In the MENA region’s desert climate, headscarves are also vital for protecting people from sandstorms, as well as dramatic temperature drops overnight. 

3. Fog Harvesting

In Morocco, there was a heavy reliance on groundwater, which has been put at risk due to intense droughts. This led Dar Si Hmad, a women-led NGO, to create the world’s largest operational fog water harvesting system. Inspired by ancient water practices, it is meant to ease water stress in places where fog is abundant. It works as such: as the wind blows fog, drops of water form on the nets, which then drip into containers underneath. So far, this project has been able to provide more than 400 individuals in five different villages, showing as an effective locally-driven climate project. 

Throughout the centuries, the SWANA region has continually sought ways to survive and thrive in the harsh climate of the region. The above adaptations show an interest and ability to push the boundaries of what is possible and known in order to discover something new. However, these inventions will not be enough to defend the region from climate devastation. It is time that more action is taken, from within and from beyond the region, to ensure that climate change does not continue to overheat this region.