The Prevention and Effects of Heat Waves
Most people are familiar with heat waves, yet they seem to overlook the dangers they can pose. Heat waves are extremely hot periods that can last a few days or sometimes weeks. In the 1960s, the average temperature was two degrees Fahrenheit above the eighty-five percent threshold. By the 2020s, the average temperature had risen to 2.3 degrees. Although the range of heat is dependent on the area, heat waves can have a negative impact on life, such as people, animals, and vegetation.
Heat waves are a product of high-pressure systems that cause air to be trapped over one region. This acts as a seal, so the air cannot rise to the cooler atmosphere above, preventing rain. It also traps heat down below, which causes sweltering temperatures that can be even worse with high humidity.
Animals are strongly affected by extreme heat as it can overwhelm the animal’s thermoregulation and cause them to overheat quickly, leading to potentially fatal heat strokes. Another instance is that dogs and cats are prone to sunburn or blisters on their paws when walking on sidewalks, causing injury and taking time to treat. Despite popular belief, small animals like guinea pigs and rodents can also be affected by the heatwaves. A lot of these small animals, especially rodents, are confined in their habitat and are unable to find shady places to cool down, which causes their body temperature to rise. Furthermore, undomesticated wildlife struggle with heat waves since they do not have access to air conditioning, like domesticated animals. In different places, animals are met with a scarcity of water because of the combination of droughts and increased heat waves.
Vegetation is also heavily impacted by heat waves because it can undergo heat stress if they experience scorching weather. Plants depend on the night to cool off, but under heat waves, the plants lose this ability due to the nights being hot as well. Additionally, as heat waves cause droughts and wildfires, they kill off the vegetation in many areas. The high temperatures decrease the productivity of photosynthesis, pollen production, and pollen viability — many factors inhibit plants from reproducing.
Especially as temperatures are rising, the lives of humans are at risk. Poor air quality can cause asthma and other respiratory diseases. People are more prone to heat strokes and heat exhaustion than ever.
With heat waves increasing in strength, people need to take precautions in extreme heat. Drinking water and staying in conditioned places can prevent heat stroke or exhaustion. Checking the news for updates about health updates and closely monitoring outside activities can keep people safe. Children or animals in the car should not be left in the car at any time, as they could suffer from heatstroke-related injuries.
In order to prevent heat waves from occurring, it is important to control climate change and shift to sustainable approaches. Using energy wisely and switching to public transportation can decrease greenhouse emissions. If public transport is not available, carpooling is another beneficial method for reducing emissions. Moreover, investing in renewable sources and staying away from fossil fuels can lessen the effects of climate change. The easiest and most accessible way is to recycle as many materials as possible, like plastics and clothes. Although these methods alone will not stop climate change, they could help deter its consequences.
Although heat waves pose an extreme danger to humans and wildlife, there are precautions that can be taken in order to stay safe against these extreme temperatures. With an emphasis on reducing the major factors of climate change — the force that makes heat waves stronger — it can greatly improve environmental conditions for the collective community.
