This week, Bloomberg Green is spotlighting the escalating impact of extreme heat waves as temperatures soar above 100°F (38°C) in many parts of the world. In today’s feature, we delve into the ways individuals, communities, and cities are adapting to these blistering conditions, from modifying daily schedules to rethinking infrastructure.
In Phoenix, where temperatures exceeded 110°F (43°C) for 31 consecutive days last year, schools are taking unprecedented measures to protect staff and students from the relentless heat. Paideia Elementary has equipped teachers with cooling vests filled with ice packs to wear during outdoor activities, a necessity as the school year starts in early August when temperatures remain well above 100°F. This adaptation is just one example of how the soaring heat is forcing communities to rethink their routines and infrastructure.
“This is a disaster that we’re all going to have to deal with,” says Maren Mahoney, director of Arizona’s Office of Resiliency. Across the globe, people are adjusting their lives to cope with the heat, whether it’s by running errands at dawn, spending weekends in cooling centers, or revising work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Daniel Coats, who grew up in Southern California’s sweltering Inland Empire, is familiar with the challenges of extreme heat. To avoid the worst of it, Coats, a communications specialist, has shifted most of his daily activities, including exercise and errands, to the early mornings or late evenings. “Living in such a hot environment completely reshapes your routine,” he says.
This shift in daily routines is becoming common worldwide. In the UK, the National Trust has adjusted work hours to accommodate rising temperatures, while in Spain, the waste management company Urbaser has banned street sweeping during the hottest parts of the day after a worker tragically died in a 2022 heatwave.
Rethinking Transportation
Commuting has also become a perilous task in extreme heat. In the US, train tracks have buckled, and tarmac temperatures have caused soda cans to explode, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure. V. Kelly Turner, an associate professor at UCLA, emphasizes the importance of shade during these “last-mile” commutes, as even a short walk to a bus stop can be dangerous in such extreme conditions. Shade, Turner notes, can significantly alter how the body experiences heat, underscoring the need for urban planners to prioritize shaded areas in their designs.
Surge in Air Conditioning
As temperatures rise, so does the demand for air conditioning. Arbi Shakhgiriev, who recently started his own AC installation business in London, has seen a surge in interest this year, with demand for his services tripling. The residential AC market grew by nearly 10% globally in 2023, with the fastest growth in regions like the Middle East and rapidly developing parts of Asia.
In the UK, where AC has historically been uncommon, more homeowners are investing in cooling systems. Yin Wu, who moved to the UK from Hong Kong, found the lack of AC in his new east London apartment unbearable. After installing a water-cooled integrated AC system in 2020, he noticed an immediate improvement: “It’ll cool the room down within three or four minutes.”
Adapting Cities to the Heat
Urban areas, already hotter than their surroundings due to the urban heat island effect, face significant challenges in adapting to rising temperatures. Research suggests that heat-related deaths will increase in cities globally, with poorer urban areas being the hardest hit.
However, cities are experimenting with both big and small adaptation strategies to help residents cope. In Ahmedabad, India, early-warning systems and hospital heat wards are being implemented. In Amman, Jordan, architects are creating mini-forests to cool urban areas and provide ecological safe havens. Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, designed to minimize direct sunlight at the pedestrian level, offers a model for future urban planning in hot environments.
As global temperatures continue to climb, such adaptations will become increasingly vital for communities worldwide. For more stories on how heat is changing lives and reshaping cities, visit Bloomberg Green and subscribe for unlimited access to climate and energy news.
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