Living in Phoenix, Arizona during a heat wave can feel like being on the edge of death if you go for a walk, according to my colleague Jack Healy. As temperatures reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) or higher for 13 consecutive days, the relentless heat shows no signs of letting up. Jack recently moved to Phoenix to cover stories about the rapidly growing American West, and he recently wrote a remarkable article detailing the scorching heat wave currently enveloping the Southwest.
In his article, Jack describes summers in Phoenix as a brutal endurance match. As the climate continues to warm, forecasters predict that dangerous levels of heat will occur earlier in the year and last longer, often extending past Halloween. This heat effectively traps America’s hottest big city in an oppressive and sweltering straitjacket.
In this triple-digit heat, even monkey bars become scorching hot, water bottles warp, and seatbelts feel like hot irons. Dedicated runners must don headlamps and hit the pavement at 4 a.m. when the temperature is still a sweltering 90 degrees. When they return home drenched in sweat, they quickly close the sun shutters to escape the blistering heat. Neighborhoods resemble ghost towns during the midday hours, with the only signs of life being the rumbling of rooftop air-conditioners.
Jack interviewed a mail carrier named Rachelle Williams, who moved to Phoenix to escape harsh Midwestern winters. Despite drinking plenty of water and wearing sun protection, Rachelle experiences tingling in her legs and dizziness as she goes about her route. “I don’t even know how I do it,” she admits. Another community volunteer, responsible for distributing water and ice to those in need, compares the heat to “walking around in a blow-dryer.”
While Jack acknowledges that he is fortunate to have a job that allows him to spend time in air-conditioning, he has developed his own strategies for coping with life in an open-air furnace. He starts his day by drinking water to saturate his system. He also wears long sleeves and pants for protection against the sun and the heat radiating from the pavement. Jack carries frozen water bottles with him everywhere, drinking them as they slowly melt. He always keeps electrolytes on hand to replenish the salts lost through sweating. According to Jack, a key aspect of living in Phoenix is learning to accept and embrace being constantly drenched in sweat.
The intense heat experienced by Jack and his fellow Phoenicians is becoming more common worldwide. California is currently preparing for a heat wave with triple-digit temperatures, and heat advisories are in effect from the Central Plains to South Florida. In Laredo, Texas, ten residents have already died from heat-related illnesses between June 15 and July 3.
Temperatures are reaching extreme levels globally as the world grapples with a period of intense warming caused by climate change and the El Niño weather pattern. Seville, Spain; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Marrakesh, Morocco are all experiencing temperatures approaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit this week. In places like Kuwait City and Basra, Iraq, the heat index can reach a staggering 125 degrees in the morning. Living in one of Mexico’s hottest cities, Hermosillo, where 120-degree days are not uncommon, comes with its own challenges. However, the dangers of extreme heat extend beyond these well-known hotspots. As extreme heat becomes more prevalent, even places accustomed to heatwaves are facing significant risks.
Dr. Kai Chen, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health who studies the health risks associated with climate change, emphasizes that people are vulnerable to extreme heat everywhere. Dr. Chen and his team have created an interactive map revealing the vulnerability of different parts of the U.S. to extreme heat. Their research takes into account factors such as income, education level, access to green spaces, and whether people live alone. Unfortunately, their findings show that neighborhoods with lower incomes and fewer trees face significantly higher risks from extreme heat. Wealthier neighborhoods, where people are more likely to have air-conditioning and perform less outdoor work, experience milder impacts from extreme heat.
To combat the dangers of extreme heat, it’s crucial to know how to stay cool, stay hydrated, and recognize the signs of heat stress and heat stroke. A comprehensive guide to dealing with a heatwave offers helpful advice for individuals living in Phoenix, Baghdad, New York, or anywhere else experiencing extreme temperatures.
In the face of rising temperatures, scientists at Purdue University have developed the whitest paint ever, now officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Beyond its record-breaking achievement, this paint offers significant benefits. By reflecting 98 percent of the sun’s rays away from the Earth’s surface, through the atmosphere, and into space, it cools down buildings. This innovative paint, which currently looks no different from regular white paint, can bring surfaces to temperatures below ambient levels. It can reduce air-conditioning usage and assist struggling power grids during heatwaves without consuming any energy. While the paint may help combat the urban heat island effect, it is not a long-term solution to climate change. Ultimately, putting an end to greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to avoiding more catastrophic warming.
As heatwaves persist and temperatures continue to rise, it is essential to stay informed about how to protect ourselves from extreme heat. By understanding the risks and following appropriate measures, we can navigate this increasingly challenging climate.
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