The Brian Lehrer Show Fires, Floods, Air Quality & Climate Change
Jul 31, 2025
Radley Horton, a climate professor at Columbia University, discusses the stark realities of climate change impacting urban environments. He highlights how extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and wildfire smoke create serious air quality issues in NYC. The need for climate adaptation partnerships is critical, especially amid funding cuts for vital research. Horton emphasizes urban temperature disparities and the dangerous public health risks from wildfire particles. He advocates for renewable energy investments to improve air quality and combat these challenges effectively.
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Steady July Temperature Rise
- The average July temperature in Central Park has increased steadily by 2 degrees every 50 years since 1869.
- This long-term warming trend shows clear evidence of climate change impacts in New York City.
Adaptation to Rising Heat Risks
- Improving early warnings and public health can help reduce heat-related risks.
- Focus adaptation efforts on the most vulnerable populations amid rising temperatures.
Robust Global Warming Evidence
- The global warming over the last 40 years is robust and consistent across the planet.
- Multiple observations such as polar warming and stratospheric cooling confirm greenhouse gases as the cause.