Deep Heat

The National Weather Service notes that heat is the biggest weather-related killer of Americans. Heat kills many more people than hurricanes, floods or blizzards. A study has now revealed how widespread the effect of heat can be. In 2020, 25% of US citizens (we are talking of tens of millions) reported heat-related health problems (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/07/study-health-extreme-heat-climate-crisis). There have, of course, been deaths, especially in older people and the very young. The health problems also included, however, 'minor' symptoms such as nausea and cramps. Even minor problems will reduce the quality of life and impair efficiency. It's hardly rocket science, but the authors of the report expect 2021 to be worse. Clearly, the US needs to urgently expand any services or provisions that can help people cope with extreme heat in the summer months. The same issues will clearly apply to many other areas of the globe.