— Written by Lyle Jarvis

This Summer’s Heat is No Fluke 🌇 

Extreme heat is on the rise, and this summer is proof. Cities across the U.S. are breaking records and sweating through dangerous, prolonged heat waves. In fact, a week-long heat wave in June set over 3,000 record high temperatures in towns across the nation, putting nearly 160 million people under heat alerts from Texas to Maine.

Places in the United States have often been the hottest on the planet. Phoenix has faced weeks of triple-digit temperatures without relief. Chicago and New York have issued multiple heat advisories as humidity pushes “feels-like” temps into dangerous territory. Even typically cooler regions like the Pacific Northwest are seeing unseasonably high temperatures.

Scientists are clear: this isn’t just bad weather, it’s climate change in action. 2024 was officially the hottest year ever recorded globally, and 2025 is on pace to compete. As the planet warms, heat waves are arriving earlier, lasting longer, and pushing temperatures higher than our infrastructure and our bodies are built to handle.

Community Resilience is Key (And Cool). Here Are Some Tips! 🫂 

We all have a role to play in keeping ourselves and each other safe. Share these tips with your networks. Check in on your neighbors. Adapting to rising heat isn't just about staying cool, it's about building community resilience in a warming world.

🦶 Cool from the bottom up
Your feet help regulate body temp. Soak them in cool (not freezing) water or splash ankles with water throughout the day. It’s a simple, ancient hack to bring your core temp down.

💧 Hydrate smarter
Water is great, but sometimes, electrolytes are better. In extreme heat, you lose more salt and minerals through sweat. For a hydration boost, try mixing in some low-sugar electrolyte drinks to replace any lost salt.

💨 Your fan might be fooling you
Just because it’s blowing doesn’t mean it’s cooling. When temps hit 95 or above, electric fans can actually make you hotter by circulating hot air. Instead, try using a wet washcloth on your neck or wrists, taking a cool (not icy!) shower, or heading to a cooling center or shaded indoor space.

🫂 Check in on your tribe
Along with young children, older adults face higher risks of heat-related illnesses, and higher rates of heat-related deaths. Also, as heat waves get stronger, experts say more people are underestimating them. This makes checking in on your older friends, parents, neighbors is more important than ever.

🔢 Know your numbers
Temperature thresholds vary from person to person, but once it hits 90 degrees and above, many of us become more at risk for heat related illnesses. Check out this heat index for more safety and information on how hot is too hot (it might surprise you).

As a general rule of thumb, experts suggest most older adults, who can’t sweat as effectively, are at extreme risk if exposed for six hours to temps above 115 degrees F, even when humidity is low they're in the shade. 

More Resources 📚️ 

👁️ Know what to look for:

Here are a few tips from the National Weather Service (see full page for more details). Know what to look for, and what to do:

Heat Cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen, heavy sweating.
What to do: Apply pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms: Heavy sweating; weakness or tiredness; cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness, nausea or vomiting; headache; fainting.

What to do: Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have the person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than an  hour

Heat Stroke

Symptoms: Throbbing headache; confusion; slurred speech; nausea; dizziness; body temperature above 103°F; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse; fainting; loss of consciousness.

What to do: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if temps are below the high 90s


Further reading and watching

• The Science Moms, a nonpartisan coalition of climate scientists who are also moms, suggest building an emergency heat kit with:
  - At least one gallon of water per person, per day
  - Electrolyte drinks, sunscreen, hats
  - A “go kit” with essentials for 3 days, and a two week “stay home” kit

• Speaking of Science Moms, here’s Dr. Lisa Patel (mom, pediatrician), sharing her tips on extreme heat, and particularly how to keep kids hydrated.

• Article: CDC | Protect Yourself From the Dangers of Extreme Heat

• Learn more about extreme heat at heat.gov!

• Here’s one more Instagram Carousel from another Mom and Pediatrician, showing signs of extreme heat to look for in your kiddos, and how to protect them! 

Heat Happens, Stick together 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 

As extreme heat becomes a regular part of our summers, staying safe takes more than just common sense, it takes prep, creativity, and community care. Whether you're freezing your sheets or checking on neighbors, small actions can make a big difference.

Your past experience with heat may not match the extremes we're seeing today, so it's time to level up your response, and help each other navigate what's shaping up to be the hottest season yet.

👀 Some Stories You Might Have Missed This Week 🗞️📺:

1. Google finalized its $3b hydropower deal in a largest-of-its-kind clean energy investment (Reuters)

2. China’s clean-energy exports in 2024 alone will cut overseas CO2 by 1% (CarbonBrief)

3. Solar led the EU’s power mix for first time ever (Canary Media)