The Danger of Heat Waves

NPG
September 7, 2020
NPG Commentary
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When Record-Breaking Temperatures Point Towards a Hotter Future for All

Heatwaves on the west coast and in the southwest region are keeping temperatures high and possibly record-breaking. On August 16, the temperature in Death Valley, California reached 130 degrees in the afternoon. According to the Washington Post, the high temperature marks what could be the new world record for “the highest temperature ever observed in the month of August.” During the same weekend, many cities – such as Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle – were all under heat alerts.

An article published by NBC News explains the dangers of these long stretches of high temperatures, discussing potential power outages, health risks for vulnerable populations, and the combined stress of heat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent high temperatures triggered “power outages throughout California as the state’s power grid became overwhelmed by energy demands.” The generating plants could not keep up with the power demands, requiring the California Independent System Operator (which runs the grid) to suspend power for a short time. Outages, such as these, cause tens of thousands of people to be without power for at least an hour, if not longer, each time.

The article also noted concern for at-risk populations, saying: “This heat will be exceptionally dangerous for the more vulnerable populations, especially in cities, where the urban heat island effect – where a city’s temperature is much warmer than rural areas nearby – combined with less access to air conditioning will amplify the risk for heat illnesses.” The third connection, made by NBC News, is the excessive heat in concert with the Covid-19 pandemic. As noted in the article: “The heatwave stands to exacerbate the Covid-19 pandemic — and the pandemic will make matters worse for those facing the heat, too. Indoor cooling centers, for example, could potentially contribute to the coronavirus’ spread if large crowds gather. People who lost their jobs may avoid running their air conditioners out of fear that they won’t be able to afford their energy bills. And heat waves, like the coronavirus, both impact the respiratory system.”

Extreme heat can have many effects on people and it can also affect infrastructure. A BBC article explains what could happen, citing the CDC: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says heatwaves have killed more people on average than any other extreme weather event in the country.” They go on to say: “It can affect infrastructure…straining power grids and causing blackouts, extreme heat can also ground planes, melt roads, and cause the inside of cars to overheat to dangerous levels.”

A research meteorologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, Alexander Gershunov believes heat waves such as this are more frequent due to climate change. We can reduce the effects of climate change by how we choose to act daily, some examples are: power homes with renewable energy, use energy-efficient appliances, and be mindful of water usage. For years, NPG has called on its members to work together to slow, halt, and eventually reverse population growth. By making these changes we can positively affect climate change and work together towards a sustainable viable future.

For more reading, please see our Forum paper series, particularly:

Climate Change, Migration and National Security, by Edwin S. Rubenstein

The True Environmental Disaster – The Silence on Our Growing Overpopulation, by Michael G. Hanauer

Humans are Making Oceans Warmer, Deeper, and Life Threatening, by Edwin S. Rubenstein

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