extreme heat
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Federal heat policy ignores deadly risks despite increasing climate dangers
Extreme heat is killing more Americans than any other weather-related event, but federal policies remain focused on protecting people from cold.
In short:
- The federal government invests billions in heating but provides little support for cooling, leaving millions vulnerable to extreme heat.
- Federal programs fail to recognize extreme heat as a disaster, while thousands of people die indoors due to lack of air conditioning.
- Low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, unable to access tax credits or support for energy-efficient cooling systems.
Key quote:
“Access to air conditioning is a life-saving intervention during extreme heat. Lack of air conditioning (AC) was a key driver in mortality.”
— Multnomah County, Oregon investigation
Why this matters:
Disregard for the realities of a heating planet is deeply embedded in policy. Regulations don’t account for how much our climate has changed. Every summer, heat waves kill more people than hurricanes or floods, yet federal programs designed to protect the vulnerable still see cooling as optional. Read more: Ripe for disaster declarations — heat, wildfire smoke and death data.
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Credit: Andreea Popa
Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance
The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.
The expansion of federal housing policy initiatives that Vice President Kamala Harris proposed in August — looking to increase the number of housing units on the market and make more units affordable — is actually a climate change adaptation policy. And much more is needed.
The summer of 2024 was the warmest summer on record, and came after months of record-high global temperatures. While the Atlantic hurricane season got off to an early start this year as well, it is growing increasingly difficult to weather the many different catastrophes — a critical threat to health — that climate change is throwing at us.
At the same time, it is becoming harder for many American families to take refuge from climate threats at home, as the cost of housing keeps rising. Half of all households renting their homes spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, the threshold for an excessive burden on the family budget. Housing prices have risen almost 65% over the past 10 years, rendering home ownership equally tenuous for many Americans.
As summer winds down, the dangers of extreme heat offer a stark example. Houseless populations are at particularly high risk of illness and death when temperatures rise. Unsheltered, these populations face intense heat exposures, often without access to air conditioning or even adequate shade.
Half of all households renting their homes spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, the threshold for an excessive burden on the family budget.
However, the threat of extreme heat extends to those that might be stretched thin by exorbitant utility bills. These groups are often forced to choose between using air conditioning to fully cool their homes, versus food or medicine — a choice between life and death on a sweltering summer day, as heat-related deaths frequently occur when people are inside their un-air-conditioned homes.
As the U.S. grapples with these two crises — the climate crisis and affordable housing — we see increasingly that these issues are intertwined and deepen longstanding inequities. Extreme weather events can have significant health consequences and housing is often an overlooked first line of defense. Even more alarming, evictions increase following climate-related disasters.
Groups who are unhoused, lack reliable shelter, or those who pay more than 30% of household income for housing costs are at heightened risk of experiencing poor health outcomes during or following extreme weather events. Without access to properly insulated housing, air conditioning, energy subsidies to support air conditioning use, or sound structural buildings, an alarmingly high proportion of Americans lack effective protections against extreme temperatures, floodwaters, and the poor air quality associated with climate change.
The conversation around housing policy frequently highlights its potential to slow down or even mitigate impacts of climate change. Eliminating single-family zoning, enforcing minimum efficiency standards for appliances, and reducing parking minimums can reduce a community’s carbon footprint by encouraging increased density, eliminating urban sprawl, and reducing energy consumption.
What is less frequently discussed is how these policies for improving affordable housing also enhance climate resilience and help prevent the adverse health outcomes associated with extreme weather events and disasters resulting from climate change.
The housing and climate crises disproportionately burden marginalized families, low-income populations, and older adults. Decades of systemic discrimination have entrenched these disparities in the U.S, leaving low income and households of color —both renters and homeowners — to face greater housing cost burdens. These groups are also disproportionately burdened by the health impacts of climate change; they often live in areas that are particularly hot or prone to flooding, they have low access to air conditioning, and they experience disproportionately high levels of energy poverty.
Older adults, who make up an increasingly larger share of the U.S. population and often live on fixed incomes, are perhaps hit hardest by this twin crisis. Nearly 11.2 million older adult households are burdened by steep housing costs, an all-time high, and older adults are more sensitive to adverse climate-related health consequences because of an accumulation of chronic conditions. Without better access to quality, health-supporting, and affordable housing, they are more vulnerable to the health effects of climate change.
That’s why the discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions. While initiatives like incentivizing clean energy uptake, bolstering green infrastructure, and improving disaster preparedness are essential, they cannot be the sole focus. Congress should recognize that when they pass legislation to increase funding for affordable housing and homelessness programs, as they did in March 2024, they are also protecting Americans from the climate crisis.
Federal programs that increase affordable housing opportunities, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, or assist residents with maintaining safe temperatures and conditions inside their home, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), are critical tools for climate adaptation and their expansion needs to be prioritized in the years ahead. At the state and local level, the expansion of eviction and utility disconnection moratoriums during extreme weather (including heat) events, tax abatement programs to prevent displacement, and the establishment of indoor residential cooling standards can also protect those most at risk.
It’s time to recognize that housing and climate are two intertwined threats. Supporting and expanding policies that promote safe, affordable, and health-supporting housing can build a future where everyone, including the most vulnerable groups, are resilient in the face of a changing climate.
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Newsletter
Credit: Charles Postiaux/Unsplash
Record-breaking heat scorches Japan and China this summer
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, while parts of China logged their warmest August ever, as both nations faced extreme heatwaves driven by climate change.
In short:
- Japan recorded its highest average summer temperature since records began in 1898, with more than 8,800 instances of extreme heat.
- China's August temperatures were the highest ever recorded in several regions, leading to school delays and extended holidays in some provinces.
- Climate scientists warn that 2024 may become the hottest year ever recorded due to ongoing global warming.
Why this matters:
The persistent and intensifying heatwaves in Asia highlight the growing impact of climate change, stressing the need for urgent action to mitigate its effects and protect vulnerable populations.
Related coverage:
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Newsletter
Credit: Victor Nnakwe/Unsplash
Half a billion children face increasingly extreme heat
Nearly 500 million children now live in regions with twice as many extremely hot days as there were in the 1960s, according to new Unicef data.
In short:
- Unicef found that 466 million children –about one in five children– worldwide experience at least double the number of extremely hot days compared to 60 years ago.
- The Sahel region in Africa, including Mali, Niger and Sudan, is particularly affected, with 39% children enduring over 200 days of 35°C+ temperatures annually.
- Extreme heat poses severe health risks to children, including heat stress and heightened vulnerability to diseases.
Key quote:
"This new Unicef analysis issues a stark warning about the speed and scale at which extremely hot days are affecting children."
— David Knaute, Unicef regional climate specialist for west and central Africa.
Why this matters:
Children’s bodies struggle to cope with extreme heat, leading to serious health risks. As global temperatures continue to rise, urgent action is needed to protect the most vulnerable.
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Newsletter
Credit: Jean Martinelle/Pixabay
Airport, retail and farm workers demand heat protections after deaths
Airport, retail, fast food and farm workers in 13 U.S. cities are rallying to demand federal heat protections following several heat-related deaths on the job.
In short:
- Workers in multiple industries are advocating for on-the-job heat protections, including water access and breaks, due to rising temperatures.
- Current federal regulations are still in the proposal stage, with implementation facing delays and political hurdles.
- Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, is increasingly lethal, with workers facing inadequate protections.
Key quote:
“Heat is a silent killer. It is the biggest weather-related killer in our community.”
— Texas' Democrat Representative Greg Casar.
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures are putting more workers at risk, especially those in outdoor or physically demanding jobs. Without stronger protections, heat-related deaths and illnesses are likely to increase.
Related: Op-ed: In a warming world, nurses heal people and the planet
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Credit: Filmbetrachter/Pixabay
Aging Californians face extreme heat challenges
California’s aging population is increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat, with older residents facing higher risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths due to climate change.
In short:
- The San Joaquin Valley endures more than 100 days of extreme heat annually, posing significant health risks to seniors who account for 28% of heat-related deaths since 2020.
- Older adults face unique vulnerabilities, including impaired sweat glands, diminished thirst and fragile hearts, exacerbating the risks of heat-related illnesses.
- Community programs like CSET are crucial, offering fast-tracked home weatherization and mental health screenings for seniors in the face of inadequate state resources.
Key quote:
“Each additional bit of warming, the health consequences are substantial. We’re not talking about the next generation.”
— Kai Chen, associate professor of epidemiology at Yale
Why this matters:
As California’s climate continues to warm, seniors in vulnerable communities face life-threatening conditions exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure and assistance.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: France Olympique/Flickr
Paris adapts to scorching heat as the Olympics return
Athletes gear up for extreme heat in Paris as climate change brings rising temperatures to the city hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.
In short:
- Paris' average temperatures have increased by 3.1C (5.6F) during the Olympics period since 1924, causing concerns for athletes' performance and safety.
- The city has implemented measures like early start times and access to water stations to mitigate heat risks during events.
- Air quality has improved, with pollution levels much lower than in 1924, but extreme heat remains a significant challenge.
Key quote:
"Heat could be a killer if you aren't able to get your nutrition and hydration right."
— Pragnya Mohan, Indian triathlete
Why this matters:
The elegant boulevards and iconic landmarks remain, but the weather is a far cry from what it was a century ago when Paris last hosted the Games. From public health to environmental sustainability, the Olympic preparations reveal a city adapting to a new, hotter normal. Read more: Sabah Usmani on making cities healthy and just.
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