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Time Magazine
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time Magazine
We Are All Now First Responders to Extreme Heat
This week, blistering temperatures could put more than 220 million Americans at risk. Extreme heat is the deadliest type of weather disaster in the United States—and one of the most underestimated. In my decades of climate resilience work in towns and neighborhoods, I've seen firsthand the pain, loss, and economic costs of extreme heat. Heat strains power grids, damages infrastructure, and worsens air pollution. It puts outdoor and commuting workers at risk, flares chronic health conditions, profoundly endangers mother and baby during pregnancy, and disproportionately harms children, older adults, and low-income families. Yet as communities from the Eastern Seaboard to the Midwest are engulfed in record-breaking temperatures, the U.S. is now even more dangerously unprepared. The safety net we count on in moments of climate crisis isn't just fraying—it's unraveling. As a result, you are (or will soon be) forced to become your own first responder. In its drive to slash the size and scope of the federal government, the Trump administration has weakened the very agencies and systems we rely on to prepare for and respond to disasters–including extreme heat. Cuts to NOAA's forecasting programs weaken our ability to anticipate and plan for dangerously high temperatures while reduced support for programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and slashed funding for public health efforts—like the CDC's Climate and Health Program—leave states and cities without tools to protect residents before and during heat waves. Read More: Losing NOAA's Natural Disaster Data Will Make Storms More Devastating for the Poor While these cuts may seem abstract or bureaucratic, their impact is personal. If you've ever checked the weather on your phone, you've depended on NOAA. These are the scientists who issue early warnings that save lives. When funding is slashed, those alerts may come too late—or not at all. Even before summer officially began, Americans were grappling with the impacts—from International Falls, Minnesota, known as the 'icebox of the nation,' where temperatures soared into the 90s in early May, to the Rio Grande Valley, which endured a mid-May heatwave that made it hotter than Death Valley. Alaska—yes, Alaska—issued its first ever heat warning this week. Read More: The Most Efficient Way to Run Your AC During a Heat Wave While the administration claims it is shifting responsibility to the states, this blatantly ignores the reality that states lack the funding and infrastructure to manage on their own. Federal grants have been essential to states' preparedness. Even cities widely regarded as leaders in disaster preparedness are strained. Miami-Dade County was forced to eliminate both its Chief Resilience Officer and Chief Heat Officer roles due to budget constraints, while Los Angeles' proposed budget would eliminate its entire climate resilience office. I work with under-served communities around the world, from the United States to India, and Mexico to Greece. I've sat in community centers where mothers have shared strategies on how to stay safe working outdoors while still earning enough to feed their families. I've walked through Sierra Leone outdoor markets and seen the benefit of simple shade structures to prevent heat stroke. These efforts are survival. When governments can't (or won't) help us, we—our communities—become the first line of defense. As a first responder, here's what you can do: Know What's Coming It's important to understand your local climate threats. Arm yourself with information on the early signs of heat illness: dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. Heatstroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate action. Awareness saves lives and sparks action. Plan Like It's Personal Heat doesn't just affect 'other people'—healthy, young individuals are now showing up in emergency rooms. Having a plan can save lives. That means staying hydrated, resting in shade or air-conditioned spaces, and scheduling strenuous outdoor activities early in the day. If you don't have air conditioning, know where the nearest cooling center is and how to keep your home cooler—by closing blinds during the day and using fans or cross-ventilation at night, when staying cool is essential for the body to rest and recover. Build a Check-In Culture Loneliness can be lethal during a heatwave. Programs like Philadelphia's Heat Response Program and Los Angeles' senior outreach initiative show how check-ins save lives. But you don't need a government job to do this. Create a phone tree or a group chat. Encourage people to 'adopt a neighbor' during heat alerts. One call can make all the difference. Turn Public Spaces into Lifelines When government systems falter, schools, libraries, religious institutions, and shaded parks can become heat-safe hubs. I've helped cities pilot community cooling spaces that serve as a refuge for people without access to air conditioning and seen how, when designed thoughtfully, cooling centers are not just places to retreat—they are places to reconnect, reorganize, and rebuild. While your new job as a first responder is critical, it's not yours to keep — that's the government's. Until then, however, and while the safety net is burning, it's on us to help put out the flames.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm on fast-moving threat that could affect millions of Americans if unchecked: 'We won't be prepared'
Our changing environment presents many challenges, and there always seems to be a new one cropping up. One of the most recent is a huge spike in dengue fever, a potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness. This uptick is occurring during a time when the Trump administration has drastically cut back on climate and health research. According to Yale Climate Connections, this unfortunate pairing could present serious risks to countless Americans. The Centers for Disease Control reported that around 3,500 American travelers contracted dengue fever in 2024, an 84% spike from the previous year. Dengue outbreaks were also declared in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands last year and have continued into 2025. In the United Kingdom, there was a 50% increase in travel-related dengue, per Yale. This outbreak is directly connected with our planet's rising temperatures and increased flooding, both of which allow dengue-carrying mosquitoes to thrive. Research into this connection is crucial for understanding how to stem the tide of the virus, but that research just became far more challenging to conduct. The Trump administration recently slashed the budget at the National Institutes of Health by $18 billion. It also announced that the CDC's budget would be nearly halved and 10,000 members of its workforce would be laid off. These institutions are vital for health and climate research, not only in America but around the world. The NIH is the single largest source of medical research funding on the planet. The organization's Climate Change and Health Initiative conducted crucial research about the health effects of a changing climate until its funding was cut early this year. The CDC's Climate and Health Program helps public health agencies of all sizes prepare for the health impacts of rising global temperatures, like dengue fever. The agency's funding is being cut by billions, and its workforce is expected to be reduced by 20%. These cuts, paired with a surge in dengue fever, could result in a significant outbreak of the virus. "Disease doesn't have national borders," an American vector biologist who wishes to remain anonymous said, per Yale. "I'm worried that if we're not studying it, we're just going to watch it continue to happen and we won't be prepared." There is no treatment for dengue, which means prevention is key. The CDC recommends being mindful of the health risks associated with vacation destinations. The agency also recommends using bug spray, wearing loose-fitting clothes, and taking steps to control mosquitoes around your home, like removing standing water where they'd lay their eggs. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
