The women live scattered around Switzerland, speak a mix of the country’s languages — German, French and Italian — and have worked in varying professions.
But the KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, a group of about 2,400 Swiss women aged 64 and over, say they have a common fear: soaring temperatures and heat waves that are threatening them with health ailments in their final decades.
“It is difficult to go outside — it is difficult to breathe,” said Fatima Heussler, 71, a member of the group who lives in Zurich, who retired after several decades of working with visually impaired older people.
Last year’s summer heat was so tiring, she said she could not do even light household chores.
“I used to love summer — and now I can be threatened by it.”
Persons:
”, Fatima Heussler, Isabelle Joerg, “
Locations:
Switzerland, —, Zurich, Basel