Reversing Climate Change

S3E51: The Heat Will Kill You First—w/ Jeff Goodell, author and contributing editor of Rolling Stone

Aug 17, 2023

Jeff Goodell, author and contributing editor of Rolling Stone, discusses the impact of extreme heat on a warming planet. They explore topics such as the urban heat island effect, cities becoming uninhabitable, labor laws in response to heat challenges, the U.S. military's preparedness for climate change, and the transition to clean energy. The podcast also covers carbon removal, geoengineering, and the challenges surrounding carbon removal debates.

57:50

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Episode guests

Jeff Goodell

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Quick takeaways

Extreme heat can have devastating effects on the human body and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers and low-income communities.

The military has conducted research on heat-related risks and developed measurements to understand the impact on human physiology, highlighting the necessity for military decision-making and preparedness.

Urban heat islands are a significant concern, and there is a need for cities to prioritize creating shaded and cool public spaces to mitigate the unequal distribution of shade and lack of trees in hot urban environments.

Deep dives

Heat and the Risks to Human Bodies

Extreme heat, rather than fire, is the main focus of the podcast episode. It is discussed how extreme heat can have devastating effects on the human body, including dizziness, dehydration, and the risk of heatstroke. The impact of heat on vulnerable populations, such as outdoor workers and low-income communities, is also highlighted.

Introduction

2min

Heat, Fire, and the Impacts on Climate Change

15min

Uncertainty in Labor Laws around Heat and Worker Safety

8min

The Controversy Surrounding Naming Heat Waves

5min

Advancements in Carbon Removal and the Taboo of Solar Geoengineering

12min

The Intense Debate and Challenges of Carbon Removal

16min

Admiration for David Key, Book Recommendations, and Request for Listeners

2min

Extreme heat. What does it feel like? Why is it getting worse and who is it impacting?

In this Reversing Climate Change podcast episode, we spoke with Jeff Goodell, contributing editor at Rolling Stone and author of The Water Will Come and his latest, The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet.

Tune in to hear about Jeff Goodell's personal experience with extreme heat. Learn about what cities are doing to combat the urban heat island effect, and what the true costs of adaptation will likely be.

Could certain cities become uninhabitable due to escalating heat levels? Ross and Jeff explore the variations in heat adaptation across different regions and income brackets, along with the possibility of introducing new labor laws in response to heat-related challenges.

The discussion also delves into the preparedness of the U.S. military for climate change impacts, the future outlook for ranking or naming extreme heat events, and the implications for the fossil fuel industry and the transition to clean energy.

One thing becomes clear, as temperatures continue to rise: the Phoenix, Las Vegas, or Austin that people know and love, is going to look very different in the future.

The show also discusses Jeff's long-running reportage on both carbon removal and geoengineering, and evaluates the status of both ideas, and what's likely to play out in the near-future.

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Resources

Jeff Goodell on Twitter

Jeff Goodell’s Website

The Heat Will Kill You First, Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

The Water Will Come