A photo in Mother Jones

Posted 19 July 2008 by Benj in Announcements, Facing Climate Change

The image is of Noel Lyman during Saint Paul Minnesota’s 19th day above 90 degrees last summer. According to the US Center for Disease Control, extreme heat events kill more people annually than hurricanes, lightning, tornados, floods, earthquakes, and all other natural disasters combined. And that’s before figuring in a hotter climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that, “Cities that currently experience heat waves are expected to be further challenged by an increased number, intensity and duration of heat waves during the course of the century.” Elderly, low income, and socially isolated individuals are amongst the most vulnerable to heat waves, particularly if they live in cities, where the urban heat island effect can add seven to twelve degrees to soaring temperatures. This can be especially dangerous in places like St. Paul, where people are more prepared to deal with extreme cold than extreme heat.