Jonna, agreed but I was basically talking about Equatorial countries and my experience is a bit old. Due to climate change maybe 40 is normal now days but what about balmy countries? Like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Surinam, South Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cuba, etc. After all every one goes to these countries just due to this reason.
When we in the North freeze and Australia fries plus when the North fries and Australia freezes in both the instances the sun is at the same distance from the Equator, far away. When it is directly over head between winter and summer solstice, the atmosphere on the Equator is thick with a lot of dust, pollution and the heat does not reach down.
Also due to being surrounded by the sea humidity plays a big role which is not reflected in the data base. People living in these countries don't know what a sweater or a jacket is for, other then the educated lot. No pun intended. They live in thatch/reed/bamboo houses and there is no concept of heating, maybe venting. Fans don't run at high speed but at a lazy pace just to dry the sweat. Air-conditioning is used to remove moisture not heat.
Aroids for one grow in these countries and they mark themselves as zone 11. Now people living in actual zone 11 countries think if these plants can grow there why not here and end up in trouble. Just one example. Most people do not globe trot like me and I can understand why they are having trouble. If they had their own zone and all the details were marked down then people can exactly know the climatic conditions.
How it will be solved, I don't know but non of the other sites have taken this aspect into consideration.
Regards,
Arif.
