The Rising Threat of Extreme Heat

Extreme heat has become a critical issue, especially in places like Phoenix, Arizona, where temperatures soared above 110 degrees for more than 30 consecutive days last summer. The iconic Saguaro cacti, symbols of the desert, began toppling due to the intense heat, highlighting the alarming impacts climate change has on even the most resilient species. This trend serves as a stark reminder that if such a hardy plant cannot survive this extreme climate, the implications for human health and survival are grave. With climate change exacerbating heat waves, everybody’s physiological limits are being tested, raising urgent questions about the conditions under which we can safely live.