This summer is already off to *** sweltering start as many areas across the US experience excessive heat. That feeling when one opens the oven and you just wait *** second and that wave of heat hits here that it's kind of the feeling we have walking outside. Heat waves are here to stay this summer. But why do they happen? How can we prevent them and how can we survive them? The word heat wave gets thrown around *** lot but don't let it fool you. Heat waves are much more than just your typical hot summer weather. They're actually *** type of natural disaster and are defined by an extended period with abnormally high temperatures usually above 90 degrees. When *** high pressure atmospheric system moves in, it can pull hot air down to the ground, heating up the area under the system. This creates *** hot bubble which prevents wind and clouds from moving in heating up the area even more. It will eventually fall apart or be pushed away by strong winds, but that can take days to make matters worse. The global average temperature has risen by 1.8 F since the 19 hundreds. That means that heat waves are set to become more frequent, last longer and be more intense. You see drought, you see heat waves, the extremes are becoming more extreme and the warming climate, the result of human activity, the increase in green house gasses that are human produced are actually causing the increase in heat and temperature between 4016. 100 and 25 million more people have been exposed to heat waves. Globally, heat waves can create *** perfect environment for other natural disasters like droughts and wildfires which can lead to yet more death and destruction. Heat waves aren't just an uncomfortable pain. They're really dangerous and estimate nationwide the heat is responsible for 235,000 emergency department visits and 56,000 hospital admissions. Adding about 1 billion in health care costs every summer. Heat waves are often underrated as *** dangerous weather phenomena since they're less dramatic than say *** flood or *** forest fire, but they can be just as deadly. The human body does *** delicate dance to make sure its temperature stays inside. The normal ranges of 97 to 99 F. When it gets too hot, every organ in the body works to cool it down. The heart especially works over time to pump its hot blood away from the internal organs and closer to the skin surface to cool down. This puts *** lot of pressure on it and can endanger those who already have heart problems. This can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion or even total organ failure and death. Like many climate related health issues, it is not *** fair fighter. Heat waves disproportionately affect older people, black people and those with preexisting health conditions. Extreme heat also hits infrastructure affecting everyone around it. The heat can buckle power lines and overwhelm them causing blackouts. It can bring railway operations to *** screeching halt and it can degrade concrete structures making them more vulnerable to damage. It also affects crops and livestock with the potential to destroy food supply. The heat makes *** deadly challenger. So how can people beat it this summer preparation is key before *** heat wave is scheduled to come in. Identify cool areas in your community that you could stay in if your house isn't adequate places like *** local library or *** mall are good options. Make sure to install an ac if possible and cover your windows with curtains and drapes when the heat wave rolls through. Make sure to take it easy and stay out of the sun whenever possible. Only going outside in the morning or the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated and flock to the shade, wear loose light clothing and take cool showers. Importantly, you should learn to recognize the signs of heat, illness in heat stroke, there's headaches, confusions and nausea and in heat exhaustion, there's weakness heavy sweating and clammy skin during *** heat wave. It's so important to look out for yourself and the others around you, including pets and neighbors don't overexert yourself and just wait for it to pass.
How to beat a heat wave
With heat waves getting more intense and frequent, it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your neighbors this summer
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Updated: 11:44 AM CDT Jul 17, 2023
This summer is already off to a sweltering start, with Earth recording four record-breaking days of heat in early July. Heatwaves have already become a staple of our summers, but they’re set to get more frequent and intense. A heatwave is defined as an extended period of time of abnormally high temperatures, usually above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They occur when a system of high atmospheric pressure moves over an area and pulls hot air down. The system prevents wind and clouds from moving in and granting relief, so the area heats up even more. It eventually falls apart or is pushed away by high winds, but that can take several days. Climate change is making matters worse, creating more frequent, intense and longer heatwaves. In the years 2000 to 2016, 125 million more people were exposed to heat waves. How do they affect people?The human body is constantly monitoring our temperature and keeping it in a delicate range from between 97-99 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets too hot, the whole body works hard to lower the temperature. The heart works especially hard to pump warm blood to the surface of the body to cool down. This can be taxing for those with heart problems and can eventually result in heart stroke, heat exhaustion, and even organ failure and death. Unfortunately, it doesn’t affect everybody equally, but it disproportionately challenges older people, those with preexisting conditions and Black people. Heat waves aren’t just deadly for people, but they can buckle infrastructure. The heat can damage power lines, making them less efficient and potentially causing blackouts. It can also cripple agriculture and livestock, creating food supply shortages.How to beat the heatBefore a heat wave comes into your area, you can prepare yourself:Identify cool areas in your neighborhood where you can spend time, like a mall or library.Cover your windows with curtains and drapesInvest in an AC if possible, or look into potential funding to help.When the heat arrives, follow this advice:Take it easy and don’t overexert yourselfOnly go outside in the morning and evening in the coolest parts of the day Stay hydratedWhen outside seek out shadeWear loose, lightweight clothingTake cool showersLearn to recognize the signs of heat illness. In heat stroke, there’s confusion, nausea and headaches. In heat exhaustion, there’s excessive sweating, clammy skin and weaknessHow can we prevent heat waves?While climate change is set to make heat waves worse, there are some solutions to making heat waves more manageable.Local governments can provide access to cooling centers for residents who do not have access to cool spaces. Investing in planting trees in urban areas can help improve shade and decrease the urban heat island effect. Cool pavements and smart infrastructure can also help increase reflectivity and reduce heat. Ultimately, the reduction in burning fossil fuels will be the only true solution to preventing heat waves.
This summer is already off to a sweltering start, with Earth recording four record-breaking days of heat in early July. Heatwaves have already become a staple of our summers, but they’re set to get more frequent and intense.
A heatwave is defined as an extended period of time of abnormally high temperatures, usually above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They occur when a system of high atmospheric pressure moves over an area and pulls hot air down. The system prevents wind and clouds from moving in and granting relief, so the area heats up even more. It eventually falls apart or is pushed away by high winds, but that can take several days.
Climate change is making matters worse, creating more frequent, intense and longer heatwaves. In the years 2000 to 2016, 125 million more people were exposed to heat waves.
How do they affect people?
The human body is constantly monitoring our temperature and keeping it in a delicate range from between 97-99 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets too hot, the whole body works hard to lower the temperature. The heart works especially hard to pump warm blood to the surface of the body to cool down. This can be taxing for those with heart problems and can eventually result in heart stroke, heat exhaustion, and even organ failure and death. Unfortunately, it doesn’t affect everybody equally, but it disproportionately challenges older people, those with preexisting conditions and Black people.
Heat waves aren’t just deadly for people, but they can buckle infrastructure. The heat can damage power lines, making them less efficient and potentially causing blackouts. It can also cripple agriculture and livestock, creating food supply shortages.
How to beat the heat
Before a heat wave comes into your area, you can prepare yourself:
- Identify cool areas in your neighborhood where you can spend time, like a mall or library.
- Cover your windows with curtains and drapes
- Invest in an AC if possible, or look into potential funding to help.
When the heat arrives, follow this advice:
- Take it easy and don’t overexert yourself
- Only go outside in the morning and evening in the coolest parts of the day
- Stay hydrated
- When outside seek out shade
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing
- Take cool showers
- Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness. In heat stroke, there’s confusion, nausea and headaches. In heat exhaustion, there’s excessive sweating, clammy skin and weakness
How can we prevent heat waves?
While climate change is set to make heat waves worse, there are some solutions to making heat waves more manageable.
Local governments can provide access to cooling centers for residents who do not have access to cool spaces. Investing in planting trees in urban areas can help improve shade and decrease the urban heat island effect. Cool pavements and smart infrastructure can also help increase reflectivity and reduce heat.
Ultimately, the reduction in burning fossil fuels will be the only true solution to preventing heat waves.
