Axios reporters Jennifer Kingson and Emily Peck discuss how U.S. cities are combating extreme heat waves and the impact of climate change. They also touch on global hunger due to the war in Ukraine and proposed gun legislation in Canada. Plus, a positive note on the resurgence of monarch butterflies in Mexico.
Global hunger crisis exacerbated by war in Ukraine impacting grain exports, causing bread prices to soar.
Cities implementing innovative strategies like cool pavements and misting systems to combat urban heat waves.
Deep dives
The War in Ukraine and Global Hunger
Russian forces have taken control of several key cities in Ukraine, severely impacting Ukraine's grain exports and causing bread prices to soar. This decline in grain exports is affecting countries heavily dependent on Ukrainian and Russian wheat, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. India, another major wheat exporter, has responded to the shortage by banning wheat exports, further exacerbating global shortages. The UN World Food Program has expressed concerns about a global hunger crisis and the potential for political unrest due to rising bread prices. Vladimir Putin's use of food as a weapon in the war is contributing to this crisis.
Fighting Urban Heat in Cities
Cities are experiencing drastic heat waves as a result of human-caused climate change. The urban heat island effect worsens the heat, particularly for low-income individuals who lack air conditioning and have jobs that require outdoor work. Cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami-Dade County have appointed chief heat officers to develop strategies for cooling down their residents. These strategies include advanced sealants on streets, misting systems, and cooling centers. Experimental methods, such as changing the color of streets, have shown success in significantly reducing temperatures. However, cities need to act faster to combat the increasing heat in urban areas.
A sweltering heat wave has made its way across the country over the past week, in a reminder of the drastic effects of climate change that just keep getting worse. Now cities are looking for new ways to keep people cool.
Plus, how the war in Ukraine is causing global hunger.
And, Canada proposes new gun legislation, in the wake of American mass shootings.
Guests: Axios' Jennifer Kingson and Emily Peck.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, and Lydia McMullen-Laird. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.