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Extreme heat causing ‘preventable’ deaths in US cities, scientists say

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Summary

This article discusses the need for more and better local early warning and response systems for extreme heat in US cities. It explains that heat-related deaths are preventable, and that cities should share knowledge and mitigate the urban heat island effect with green or cool roofs. The article also discusses how core body temperature is dependent on outside temperature, activity, and the use of air conditioning. It provides information on the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, and highlights how Philadelphia, Detroit and Washington, D.C. have good early warning systems. It also mentions how human-caused climate change is having a detectable, quantifiable impact on today's temperatures, and how temperatures will continue to rise in the near future if emissions are not cut.

Q&As

What steps can be taken to prevent heat-related deaths?
Steps that can be taken to prevent heat-related deaths include implementing early warning and response systems, building codes that minimize the urban heat island effect, and helping people keep their core body temperature down with activities like resting in the shade.

How do high nighttime temperatures contribute to heat-related deaths?
High nighttime temperatures contribute to heat-related deaths because they don't give people a chance to cool down.

What are the health risks of climate change?
The health risks of climate change include extreme heat, which can raise our core body temperature and cause organ damage.

What is the National Integrated Heat Health Information System?
The National Integrated Heat Health Information System is a collaboration of federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Federal Emergency Management Agency, that provides a web portal for local officials to access information about extreme heat.

How can humans reduce the effects of climate change on extreme heat?
Humans can reduce the effects of climate change on extreme heat by significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

AI Comments

👍 This article does an excellent job outlining the dangers of heat-related deaths and provides helpful suggestions on how to mitigate the risks. It is great to see the federal government and state governments facilitating knowledge-sharing between localities to better prepare for extreme heat.

👎 This article fails to give any concrete solutions to the very real problem of extreme heat in US cities. It is frustrating to see the lack of progress in mitigating climate change and the resulting extreme heat.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the extreme heat causing preventable deaths in cities in the US. The article explains how heat wave early warning and response systems can save lives, and that the federal government and state governments should facilitate knowledge-sharing between localities developing extreme heat plans. It also advocates for building codes that minimize the urban heat island effect.

Friend: Wow, that's really concerning. What are the implications of this?

Me: Well, it means that local governments need to take action to protect their citizens from extreme heat and to mitigate the effects of climate change. They need to implement early warning systems and better building codes to help reduce the risk of heat-related deaths. It also means that the federal government and state governments should provide better support for local communities in developing emergency plans for extreme heat. Lastly, it means that people need to be more aware of the dangers of extreme heat and take steps to limit their exposure.

Action items

Research and implement local early warning and response systems to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat.
Advocate for building codes that minimize the urban heat island effect, such as requiring green or cool roofs.
Utilize the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (heat.gov) to access resources and information on how to best respond to extreme heat.

Technical terms

Heat Wave Early Warning and Response Systems: Systems that are designed to alert people to the onset of a heat wave and provide guidance on how to respond to it.
Urban Heat Island Effect: The phenomenon of cities being hotter than surrounding rural areas due to the presence of buildings, pavement, and other infrastructure that absorb and retain heat.
Core Body Temperature: The temperature of the body’s internal organs, which must be maintained within a narrow range to protect them from damage.
National Integrated Heat Health Information System: A collaboration of federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Federal Emergency Management Agency, that provides information on how to respond to extreme heat.
Green or Cool Roofs: Roofs that are designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional roofs.
Attribution Science and Climate Fingerprinting: The process of using scientific data to determine the extent to which human-caused climate change has contributed to extreme weather events.