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How do heatwaves highlight inequality?

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On Sydney's east coast, locals benefit from the sea breeze, while temperatures soar in the west. Credit: Brook Mitchell / Getty Images

In the midst of one of the hottest Australian summers on record, experts say heat inequality is deepening social division.


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By James Elliott

Presented by James Elliott

Source: SBS




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In the midst of one of the hottest Australian summers on record, experts say heat inequality is deepening social division.


In Penrith, in Sydney's west, locals told SBS Examines they were feeling the heat.

It just keeps getting hotter every year, I feel like I’m on the face of the sun.

On the same day, on the other side of the city, it was 10 degrees cooler.

Millions of people live in Western Sydney, one of Australia's most diverse regions.

The area is what experts call an 'urban heat island,'.

They fear this is putting the most vulnerable people at risk.

This episode of SBS Examines explores how heat is disproportionately affecting our communities.


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