The Daily The Heat Wave That Hit the Pacific Northwest
Jul 14, 2021
Henry Fountain, a climate change reporter for The New York Times, dives into the unprecedented heat wave that hit the Pacific Northwest. He discusses record-breaking temperatures reaching 116 degrees in Portland and the strain on local communities. Fountain also highlights the tragic story of a farm worker who succumbed to the extreme heat, shedding light on immigrant struggles. The conversation emphasizes the critical link between these heat events and climate change, calling for urgent policy responses to address the escalating threats.
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Portland's String of Emergencies
- Portland experienced COVID shutdowns, protests, wildfires, and then a heatwave.
- These events caused the city to repeatedly enter states of emergency.
Unprepared Infrastructure
- The 116-degree heat was 40 degrees above average, shocking for the Pacific Northwest.
- The infrastructure, not built for such heat, failed, including buckling pavement and melting streetcar cables.
Heat Disparity
- A Portland State University professor found temperatures 20 degrees hotter in poorer neighborhoods than wealthier ones.
- These areas, lacking tree cover and with more concrete, absorb more heat, highlighting a socioeconomic disparity.