Tag

Extreme Heat

All articles tagged with #extreme heat

Most People Can't Power an Hour of Air Conditioning
energy9 days ago

Most People Can't Power an Hour of Air Conditioning

Billions in energy-poor countries cannot power even a single hour of air conditioning, leaving extreme heat a daily health and productivity burden. In many places, the average per-person daily electricity is far below what an hour of AC needs (India ~44 minutes, Nigeria ~13 minutes, South Sudan ~4.4), and AC ownership remains very low (roughly 5–16% in several large economies). Even affordable cooling like electric fans is out of reach for many. Solving this requires more affordable, cleaner electricity and more efficient cooling, even as AC accounts for about 3% of greenhouse gas emissions and demand could triple by 2050.

Tropics on the Edge: Uninhabitable Heat and Mega-Floods by 2100
science1 month ago

Tropics on the Edge: Uninhabitable Heat and Mega-Floods by 2100

New climate models warn that by 2100 many tropical regions could regularly exceed dangerous heat levels (Heat Index above 103°F, with some places over 124°F) and experience a roughly 41% rise in extreme rainfall, pushing areas like India, Pakistan, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia toward uninhabitable conditions and increasing flood risk in underprepared megacities; another study projects hundreds of millions living in cities above the 29°C mean annual temperature threshold, underscoring stark adaptation gaps and inequality in resilience.

Researchers Find Unexpected Behavior Exception in Public Parks
environment3 months ago

Researchers Find Unexpected Behavior Exception in Public Parks

Research in Los Angeles shows that park use declines during extreme heat, but behavioral patterns like time of day and day of week have a greater influence on visitation than heat or amenities. High social sensitivity residents are more willing to travel to less sensitive parks, highlighting disparities. The study suggests focusing on increasing tree cover and green spaces in marginalized communities to improve heat relief and equity, emphasizing the importance of urban planning solutions like cool roofs and reflective pavements to combat climate change effects.

Extreme Heat's Impact on Brain Health and Behavior
health6 months ago

Extreme Heat's Impact on Brain Health and Behavior

Extreme heat negatively impacts brain function, decision-making, and emotional regulation by impairing the blood-brain barrier, increasing oxidative stress, disrupting sleep, and elevating stress levels, especially affecting vulnerable groups. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend hydration, shade, air conditioning, and mental strategies like maintaining calm and self-control.

Europe Confronts Air-Conditioning Debate Amid Rising Heat Waves
world6 months ago

Europe Confronts Air-Conditioning Debate Amid Rising Heat Waves

As Europe faces increasingly frequent and severe heatwaves, air conditioning use is rapidly rising, transforming from a luxury to a necessity, which strains power grids and raises environmental concerns. Countries are adapting infrastructure and policies to manage the surge in cooling demand while balancing sustainability and energy security.