We're Not Built for This Heat

Consider This from NPR
Release Date: June 25, 2025

Introduction: Battling the Heat Wave

The episode opens with Juana Summers addressing listeners facing an intense heat wave sweeping through parts of the United States. Drawing from firsthand experiences, Juana emphasizes the immediate challenges posed by such extreme temperatures.

Notable Quote:

"I am living in a part of the country that is still cooking through a brutal heat wave."
— Javeria Roya, Curiosity Preschool and Childcare Center, Silver Spring, Maryland
(00:18)

Impact on Public Health and Daily Routines

Javeria Roya, a teacher, discusses practical adjustments made to ensure children's safety during the heat. She highlights the importance of hydration and adjusting schedules to cooler parts of the day.

Notable Quotes:

"As a teacher, I have to constantly remind them, like, hey, you know, your body is like an engine. It can overheat, so you need to fuel yourself with water."
— Julia Simon
(00:35)

"She's adjusted the kids' schedule. Outdoor activities are all in the morning, and that is important because this kind of heat can be dangerous for everyone."
— Juana Summers
(00:43)

Health Risks Associated with Early Heat Waves

Patricia Fabian, an associate professor of environmental health at Boston University, sheds light on the heightened health risks due to the premature onset of the heat wave. She explains that early-season heat can catch populations unprepared, leading to increased emergency room visits and even fatalities.

Notable Quotes:

"We will expect to see more emergency department visits because of heat stress. We'll expect to see probably an increase in deaths."
— Patricia Fabian
(01:01)

"The other big part of it is really more the physiological response that as time goes by and we're exposed to hot weather, our body learns how to sweat and cool down."
— Patricia Fabian
(01:27)

Infrastructure Under Strain: Roads and Railways

Juana Summers transitions to a broader perspective, discussing how climate-induced heat waves are testing the nation's infrastructure. Extreme temperatures are causing roads to buckle and affecting rail travel, leading to slower train services.

Notable Quotes:

"The effects of this week's extreme heat have shown up in some surprising places. You may have seen videos online of the heat causing asphalt roads to buckle, creating bumps in the ground."
— Juana Summers
(03:16)

Expert Insight: Mikhail Chester on Transportation Infrastructure

To delve deeper into the infrastructure challenges, Juana interviews Mikhail Chester, an engineering professor at Arizona State University. He explains the dual impact of extreme heat on transportation systems: direct damage to infrastructure and the resulting operational challenges.

Key Points:

• Direct Impact: Roads and railways were designed based on historical temperature data. Current heat extremes exceed these design thresholds, causing cracking, rutting, and issues with thermal expansion joints in rail tracks.
  (04:32)

• Operational Challenges: Transit agencies are forced to adjust services, such as running trains more slowly to prevent track damage. Additionally, extreme heat affects the personnel operating these systems, necessitating safety measures and adjustments to work schedules.
  (05:37)

• Broader Implications: Heat waves also disrupt airport operations, requiring longer distances for plane takeoffs and affecting overall service reliability.
  (05:48)

Notable Quotes:

"When it comes to rail, you might experience that the thresholds, the thermal expansion joints of the rail tracks are being exceeded."
— Mikhail Chester
(04:32)

"People who operate transportation infrastructure, who are outside are also impacted by these heat waves. You know, we need to keep them in reprieve for a little bit longer and make sure that, you know, they are ultimately safe."
— Mikhail Chester
(06:42)

Adaptation and Innovation in Response to Climate Challenges

Mikhail Chester emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in how infrastructure is designed and maintained. Traditional engineering approaches are proving insufficient in the face of escalating climate extremes, urging the adoption of innovative solutions and knowledge sharing.

Notable Quotes:

"Now is a time when we're starting to see innovation emerge and also limitations of how much we can engineer ourselves using existing models of how we typically approach infrastructure."
— Mikhail Chester
(06:48)

"We need to pivot how we're approaching this challenge, and that's going to require us to innovate, which we are doing. It's going to require us to share that knowledge, which we're starting to do."
— Mikhail Chester
(07:39)

Protecting the Workforce: Ensuring Safety in Extreme Heat

Beyond infrastructure, Mikhail highlights the critical need to safeguard the workers maintaining these essential systems. Implementing guidelines on safe exposure times and providing adequate cooling and hydration are paramount.

Notable Quotes:

"We need to make sure that we have the latest knowledge in science to be able to protect them. For example, how long is it safe for them to be outside in heat waves relative to how long do they need to come into air conditioning for reprieve?"
— Mikhail Chester
(08:41)

"Arming them with the appropriate knowledge of how they should respond to these disasters and threats becomes really important."
— Mikhail Chester
(08:41)

Practical Tips for Staying Cool

Transitioning from macro-level impacts to personal strategies, Juana shares practical advice on managing extreme heat, featuring insights from Julia Simon of NPR's Climate Desk and Nate Adams from West Virginia.

Indoor Cooling Strategies:

• Block Out Heat: Close curtains and blinds to prevent sunlight from heating interiors.
  (09:49)

• Use Fans Effectively: Position fans next to you to maximize cooling.
  (09:49)

• Avoid Heat-Generating Activities: Refrain from using stoves or ovens during peak heat hours.
  (09:49)

• Innovative Cooling: Techniques like sleeping with a wet sheet can enhance cooling through evaporation.
  (09:49)

Air Conditioning Tips:

• Optimal Settings: Adjust AC settings to a comfortable level without overburdening the system.
  (10:17)

• Maintenance: Ensure air filters are clean to maintain efficiency.
  (10:25)

Long-Term Home Solutions:

• Seal Leaks: Improve home insulation to prevent hot air infiltration.
  (11:00)

• Exterior Shades: Install shades or reflective materials to reduce heat absorption.
  (11:56)

Staying Cool Outdoors:

• Limit Outdoor Exposure: Stay indoors during extreme heat; if necessary, hydrate frequently and wear protective clothing.
  (12:02)

• Rapid Cooling Techniques: Submerge arms in ice-cold water for quick temperature reduction.
  (12:02)

The Climate Connection: Human-Caused Global Warming

Julia Simon connects the dots between the recurring heat waves and broader climate change, underscoring the role of human activities in exacerbating these extreme weather events.

Notable Quotes:

"Scientists say the most intense heat waves would not be possible without human-caused global warming."
— Julia Simon
(12:41)

"The primary driver is humans burning planet-heating fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. Scientists say we already have scalable solutions that can cut climate pollution like wind and solar energy combined with large battery systems."
— Julia Simon
(12:41)

Conclusion: A Call to Adapt and Act

The episode wraps up by reinforcing the urgency of adapting both personal habits and broader infrastructure systems to cope with the intensifying heat due to climate change. Listeners are encouraged to implement immediate cooling strategies while advocating for long-term, sustainable solutions to mitigate future climate impacts.

Credits: Produced by Jeffrey Pierre, Mia Venkat, and Connor Donovan. Edited by the 10 Beat Armies team, including Sadie Babbitts, Neela Banerjee, and Courtney Dorning. Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun.

Consider This provides a comprehensive look at how extreme heat is not just a temporary discomfort but a growing challenge intricately linked to our infrastructure and climate policies. By blending expert insights with practical advice, the episode equips listeners with the knowledge to navigate and respond to the escalating heat crisis.