Consider This from NPR Forecasters predict another sweltering summer. Are we ready?
May 27, 2024
Kirk Siegler, an NPR correspondent specializing in environmental issues, dives into the alarming shortage of federal wildland firefighters as wildfire risks soar in the West. He discusses the severe summer of 2023 marked by extreme heat and wildfires fueled by climate change. The conversation also touches on predictions for an active hurricane season, emphasizing the urgent need for preparedness. Siegler highlights the crucial intersection of climate impacts and firefighting, shedding light on the pressure faced by emergency services in these dire times.
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Summer 2023: Extreme Weather Events
- Chicago experienced awful air quality due to Canadian wildfire smoke in 2023, obscuring the city skyline.
- The Florida Keys saw ocean temperatures reach hot tub levels, shockingly damaging coral reefs.
Phoenix Heatwave
- Phoenix, Arizona, endured 31 consecutive days of 110-degree Fahrenheit heat.
- This extreme heat caused the asphalt to burn people's feet.
Record-Breaking Heat
- 2023 was the hottest summer on record for many parts of the U.S. and the hottest year globally.
- Global heat records are likely to continue breaking, with 2024 guaranteed to be among the top five hottest years.