Extreme Heat’s Far-Reaching Impacts

Extreme heat impacts communities in more ways than we previously thought, according to new research from Boston University’s Center for Climate and Health.

In addition to the expected impacts — dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke — heat can also endanger pregnant women, impact sleep patterns, and increase irritability, depression, and suicide rates, explaims Kristin Toussaint in Fast Company. “Heat is also associated with higher rates of violence and aggression, including intimate partner violence and gun violence.”

Because of its effect on our phyisological responses, “Extreme heat also affects how well our brains work. High temperatures are associated with poorer test scores, affecting students’ academic performance—an issue that becomes even more apparent among low-income and minority students, whose schools often lack air conditioning.”

Research even shows a link between extreme heat and car crashes. “While there are physical elements at play—the sun might be in drivers eyes, for example, or tires may expand and blow out—research has linked those accidents to impaired judgment, concentration issues, slow reactions, and other driving errors.”

According to Toussaint, “In the U.S., nearly two-thirds of the population lives somewhere vulnerable to extreme summer temperatures. As human-caused climate change worsens, even more people will be exposed to extreme heat and all the health effects that come with it.” This puts extreme heat squarely in the realm of planning issues. Cities can take steps to mitigate the effects of heat, provide cooling centers for residents, and improve infrastructure to handle growing energy needs for cooling.