“We Need Shade”: America’s Hottest City Rushes to Plant More Trees - Only about 9 percent of Phoenix has canopy coverage—poor neighborhoods have less. Nina Lakhani 4.18.24
"...Redlined neighborhoods like Grant Park still have higher pollution levels, less vegetation, more noise pollution and higher temperatures. In recent years, the local outdoor pool was shuttered and scores of trees cut down by a previous administration to prevent homeless people from gathering in the shade.
“This is one of the hottest parts of the city because the people here don’t have political power,” said Leo Hernandez, 78, the master gardener at the thriving community garden where he created a butterfly sanctuary for migrating monarchs. “We need shade, but trees also suck up carbon dioxide, create places to socialize and healthier, happier neighborhoods.”
PNNL: Design for Extreme Heat. "This guide is intended to provide basic concepts and strategies for designing homes to be safer during extreme heat events. When designing homes for extreme heat, the overarching goal is simply to keep the building occupants cool enough to avoid health risks, particularly when the power is out or A/C is not available. " https://basc.pnnl.gov/information/design-extreme-heat
"A study released this year found that extreme temperature shocks – like #heatwaves and cold snaps – are leading to surges in demand for #PaydayLoans in the #US.
The paper suggests extreme heat and cold may increase demand for payday loans in several ways: increased energy costs as people turn on heating or cooling devices, lost income or people who are unable to work in #ExtremeHeat, and health problems leading to medical costs for underinsured or uninsured people."
The theoretical limit to human survival for more than a few hours in the shade, even with unlimited water, is a wet-bulb temperature of 35°C (95°F) - theoretically equivalent to a heat index of 70°C (160°F), though the heat index does not go that high.
"The Heat-Health Risk Index is an approach and evidence base that helps us understand the ways that health-risk varies socially and spatially across #Australia.
It uses the latest data and thinking on the social, economic, built, and natural environments to create indicators of how communities are at risk to adverse heat-health outcomes."
Most of India Will Witness Above Normal Temperatures Till June, IMD Warns
Most of India will witness temperatures above normal from April till June; the warning comes after several reports have cautioned that 2024 will likely witness worse heat waves than 2023 did.
Thinking the next big climate resilience project at the house (once I get it put back together) is installing heat reflecting film on the windows that were not replaced. Not sure why I didn't do this earlier. 🤔 #climate#adaptation#heatwaves
"#India braces for #heatwaves in Q2, impact seen on #inflation, election.
A heat wave for the third year in a row could dent production of #wheat, #rapeseed and #chickpeas, and also lift power demand above supply during the summer season. India is the world's second largest wheat producer."