heat
Newsletter
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Rising heat and wildfires pose increasing risks to the elderly
As extreme heat events and wildfires become more frequent and intense, America’s growing elderly population faces escalating health and safety threats.
In short:
- Older adults are especially vulnerable to heat-related injuries, which are increasing alongside global temperature rises.
- Heat exacerbates existing health conditions in older adults, potentially causing thousands of additional deaths annually.
- Community centers with air conditioning and regular check-ins by family or neighbors can help mitigate risks.
Key quote:
“It’s easy to say, ‘Oh, buy central air,’ but people are struggling financially everywhere, so it’s just not an easy fix.”
— Ian Neel, geriatrician and associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine
Why this matters:
Extreme heat and wildfires disproportionately endanger older adults, who are less able to cope with these conditions due to mobility issues and chronic health problems. Community support and awareness can significantly reduce heat-related health risks for the elderly.
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Citizens sue UK government for lack of climate adaptation measures
Three claimants are suing the UK government, claiming its climate adaptation plan fails to protect people and property from the escalating climate crisis.
In short:
- Claimants argue the government's third national adaptation program (NAP3) violates the Climate Change Act 2008.
- Kevin Jordan and Doug Paulley, both affected by climate change, claim the plan neglects their rights and exacerbates their vulnerabilities.
- The environmental group Friends of the Earth supports the case, emphasizing the need for clear, actionable objectives.
Key quote:
"The lack of planning makes me fearful that in an emergency, disabled people won’t be properly protected."
— Doug Paulley
Why this matters:
Inadequate climate adaptation plans can leave vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and disabled, at heightened risk. Effective measures are crucial to safeguard lives and property from worsening climate impacts.
Related EHN coverage:
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Hot weather poses new threat to salmon migration
Record-high temperatures in Washington state threaten the migration of sockeye salmon in the Columbia River Basin, raising concerns among fisheries managers about the future of these fish.
In short:
- A heat wave has pushed water temperatures in the Columbia River Basin above the 68-degree threshold preferred by sockeye salmon.
- The Okanogan River, a critical path for migrating sockeye, has seen temperatures near 83 degrees, risking the fish's journey to spawning grounds.
- Fisheries managers are considering interventions like trucking fish upstream to help them bypass dangerous thermal barriers.
Key quote:
“Those water temperatures are warmer than ever this year. Literally, they’re almost too warm to swim in.”
— Tom Iverson, regional coordinator for the Yakama Nation Fisheries
Why this matters:
Warmer water can severely impede salmon migration, threatening the species' survival and impacting ecosystems. Long-term climate trends could make these heatwaves more frequent, challenging conservation efforts.
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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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Cities can use cool roofs to combat extreme heat
Cool roofs, which reflect sunlight, can help cities reduce the urban heat-island effect, potentially saving lives as global temperatures rise.
In short:
- Urban heat-island effect increases city temperatures due to concrete and asphalt absorbing heat.
- Cool roofs, using reflective materials, can significantly lower temperatures more effectively than green roofs or solar panels.
- Policies and incentives are needed to promote the adoption of cool roofs in urban areas.
Key quote:
"In the same way that the urban environment that we have built around us can exacerbate heat, it can also be modified to reduce that heat."
— Edith de Guzman, researcher at UCLA and director of the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative
Why this matters:
As cities grow hotter due to climate change, effective cooling measures like cool roofs can reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths. Implementing these passive cooling techniques helps make urban environments more livable and resilient.
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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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Dangerous pavement burns increase as desert heat intensifies
As temperatures rise, severe pavement burns, particularly in the desert Southwest, are becoming more common and sometimes deadly.
Adeel Hassan and Isabelle Taft report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Stephen Cantwell suffered severe burns after passing out on a Las Vegas sidewalk during extreme heat.
- Burn centers in the Southwest report a significant increase in contact burns, with many cases proving fatal.
- Urban expansion in hot regions increases the risk, with asphalt and concrete absorbing and radiating extreme heat.
Key quote:
“Your body just literally sits there and cooks. When somebody finally finds you, you’re already in multisystem organ failure.”
— Clifford C. Sheckter, surgeon and a burn prevention researcher at Stanford University
Why this matters:
As climate change continues to drive temperatures higher, especially in urban areas, the risk of severe burns from hot surfaces is growing. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, homeless, and children, are particularly at risk.
Related EHN coverage:
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