health
Newsletter
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Decades of water mismanagement threaten Yaqui culture in Mexico
The Yaqui tribe in Sonora, Mexico faces cultural and environmental devastation as the Yaqui River dries up due to overuse, drought, and dam construction.
In short:
- The Yaqui River, crucial for cultural ceremonies and subsistence, has dried up, impacting plant and animal species central to Yaqui traditions.
- Traditional structures and ceremonial instruments, dependent on riverbank flora and endemic species like the four-mirror butterfly, are endangered.
- The tribe now relies on purchased water and faces health issues from dietary changes due to the loss of their natural resources.
Key quote:
“We are facing a very critical situation of loss of many aspects that have to do with culture. In the way they work the land, the way they eat and also in the way they carry out their rituals.”
— José Luis Moctezuma, National Institute of Anthropology and History
Why this matters:
The loss of the Yaqui River disrupts not only the tribe's daily life but also their cultural heritage, leading to health and ecological consequences. Immediate attention to water management and conservation is important to preserve the Yaqui way of life.
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Newsletter
Southern Europe faces deadly heat wave
A heat wave across southern Europe forced the closure of Greece’s Acropolis and resulted in two firefighter deaths in Italy.
Elena Becatoros and Colleen Barry report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Greece closed the Acropolis for five hours due to extreme heat, distributing water and information to tourists.
- In Italy, two firefighters died fighting a blaze in Basilicata, and 13 cities, including Palermo, are under severe heat warnings.
- Other countries, including Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey, are battling wildfires and heat-related disruptions.
Key quote:
Of touring the Acropolis, tourist Tony Dunlap said “we got it done and got out quick, and now we’re going to some air conditions and some more libation and enjoy the day.”
— Toby Dunlap, tourist from Pennsylvania
Why this matters:
Extreme heat waves and wildfires highlight the urgent need for climate resilience and preparedness measures in southern Europe. The impact on daily life and safety in these regions underscores the broader implications of climate change.
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Tenants may soon have a right to air conditioning in New York City
A New York City councilman is introducing a bill to require landlords to provide air conditioning to tenants during the summer to prevent heat-related illnesses.
In short:
- Councilman Lincoln Restler's bill mandates landlords to install and maintain air conditioning units, with fines for noncompliance.
- Each summer, around 350 New Yorkers die from heat-related illnesses, with Black residents disproportionately affected.
- The bill aims to address climate change challenges and ensure safe housing standards, similar to winter heating requirements.
Key quote:
“This will save lives as we reckon with the challenges of the climate crisis.”
— Councilman Lincoln Restler, Brooklyn
Why this matters:
As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves, access to air conditioning becomes crucial for preventing heat-related deaths and ensuring safe living conditions, especially for vulnerable populations.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Climate change increases health risks with extreme summer heat and wildfires
Rising temperatures and wildfires fueled by climate change are posing significant health risks across Canada, with humid conditions exacerbating the effects.
In short:
- Eastern Canada experienced a heat dome in June 2024, with temperatures feeling as high as 40°C due to humidity.
- High humidity complicates the body's ability to cool down, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Prolonged exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Key quote:
"Some people may not be in the habit of protecting themselves from heat, given that this is early in the season. It’s still really important to prepare, particularly for people that may require assistance."
— Peter Berry, Health Canada spokesperson
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures and increased frequency of heat domes, driven by climate change, heighten the health risks of extreme heat and poor air quality.
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Credit: Hermann Traub/Pixabay
Opinion: Building climate resilience fails to protect human health
The Department of Health and Human Services' focus on climate resilience is insufficient to address the extensive health impacts of climate change.
In short:
- The HHS Climate Action Plan emphasizes resilience without adequately addressing prevention.
- Resilience policies overlook the pervasive and constant health threats posed by climate change.
- The approach may lead to accepting climate disasters as inevitable, rather than preventable.
Key quote:
"Resilience is the categorical imperative of business-as-usual; it is crisis managers buying time. For others, resilience is exhausting."
— Ajay Singh Chaudhary, author of The Exhausted of the Earth.
Why this matters:
Focusing solely on resilience without prevention leaves populations, especially the vulnerable, in perpetual danger. This approach risks normalizing climate disasters instead of aiming to mitigate them.
Relevant EHN coverage:
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Richmond's Black community faces high heat-related illness rates
Black residents in Richmond suffer disproportionately from heat-related illnesses, with many incidents occurring near cooling centers.
In short:
- A GeoHealth report reveals Black people in Richmond experience more heat-related health issues than other groups.
- Historical lack of investment in Black neighborhoods contributes to higher temperatures and fewer cooling options.
- Many heat-related incidents occur within walking distance of cooling centers, highlighting accessibility issues.
Key quote:
"Spending just a few hours at a cooling center can help prevent heat-related illnesses, but a lot of Richmonders might not know these cooling centers exist or they might not have a safe way to get there."
— Peter Braun, a built environment policy analyst with the Richmond and Henrico Health District
Why this matters:
Urban heat islands and climate change worsen health disparities, particularly in underinvested communities. Black residents, who often live in areas with fewer green spaces and more heat-retaining concrete, are particularly vulnerable. Their neighborhoods frequently lack adequate tree cover and are dotted with aging infrastructure that exacerbates the urban heat island effect. This environmental injustice leads to higher temperatures in these areas, compounding the health risks for the community.
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Newsletter
Tourists are more vulnerable to extreme heat than locals
Tourists are at greater risk of heat-related illnesses than locals when visiting hot destinations during heat waves, experts warn.
In short:
- Six tourists died in Greece during a June heat wave, likely due to heat stress.
- Visitors from cooler climates lack acclimatization to extreme heat, increasing their health risks.
- The trend of "coolcationing" is rising, with tourists opting for cooler destinations to avoid heat.
Key quote:
“It takes at least 1-2 weeks to acclimatize to heat stress. That means, a tourist who lives in a cooler climate and travels for a week-long vacation to a warmer climate or area experiencing a heat wave won’t have time to acclimatize during their time in the warm area.”
— Alisa Hass, geographer at Middle Tennessee State University
Why this matters:
Tourists face higher health risks from extreme heat due to lack of acclimatization and vacation behaviors like reduced hydration and increased alcohol consumption. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious threats, exacerbated by strenuous activities like sightseeing and outdoor excursions. Unlike locals who have adapted to the heat and know the best ways to stay cool, tourists might not recognize the signs of heat stress until it’s too late.
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