Climate Change and Health: Heat

Extreme heat and longer heat waves can cause illness or death. As the climate warms, there are increasingly more dangerous hot days, and even more hot nights. Climate change has resulted in less cooling at night which puts additional heat stress on vulnerable individuals. 

Groups that are most at risk from heat-related risks include the elderly, very young children, outdoor workers, people with chronic diseases, the socially isolated, low income populations, and some communities of color.  Large cities that generate strong urban heat islands can be particularly dangerous.

Resources

Webinar

WORKSHOP: Extreme Heat and Health Risk

Climate Central held an online workshop on July 19, 2021, to discuss the impacts of extreme heat on communities and on individuals’ health.

Climate Matters

Heat and Hospitalizations

As our climate continues to change, we are experiencing more extremely hot days, increasing the risk of heat-related illness and hospitalizations.

Climate Matters

2021 Cooling Degree Days

As our global temperature rises, so does our need for air conditioning. The increased demand will pose several challenges like emitting more greenhouse gases, straining our aging power grids, and inflating our energy bills.

Climate Matters

The Inequality of City Heat

New studies are spotlighting and quantifying social, racial, and economic inequalities associated with disproportionate tree coverage in cities across the United States.

Climate Matters

Seniors at Risk: Heat and Climate Change

A new Climate Central report examines how heat and a warming climate endanger the health of an aging U.S. population, a threat made even more worrisome during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Climate Matters

Humid Heat Extremes on the Rise

As the climate warms, the frequency of extreme heat and humidity has already doubled in most U.S. locations.

Report

Extreme Heat: When Outdoor Sports Become Risky

Extreme heat index days—when heat and humidity make it difficult for the body to cool itself off—have been increasing in cities across the country.