In the town of Alhaurín de la Torre, Spain, scorching heat forces locals to stay indoors during midday. In response, the town council initially installed plastic awnings to cool the streets but soon realised this only trapped heat, creating a greenhouse effect. The solution came from a group of elderly women, led by Eva, known as the "crochet grannies."
These women crocheted sunshades out of synthetic yarn, which doesn't absorb water like cotton or wool. Their innovative approach provided relief from the sun without the risk of rain damage.
The town now enjoys cooler streets thanks to their colorful and functional crochet creations. The townspeople appreciate the comfort of walking in the shaded areas provided by these women. This initiative is limited to Alhaurín de la Torre for now, but it may be more widely adopted in future.
Vocabulary:
• Greenhouse effect: The trapping of heat by certain materials or gases, causing an area to become warmer.
• Awnings: Roof-like structures made from fabric or plastic that provide shade or shelter.
• Crochet: A method of creating fabric from yarn using a hooked needle.
Source: Great Big Story