Phoenix is experiencing several problems exacerbated by climate change all at the same time. They are having a record heatwave, setting all-time records. The temperature was 115 degrees, two days in a row. And it’s just June.
And, because of the record high heat, they are experiencing high levels of air pollution. On Tuesday 6/15 the Air Quality Index hit 203 – purple/very unhealthy – because of the ozone. The actual ozone level was 108ppb, well over the limit of 70ppb. There is also a wildfire burning nearby, sending smoke towards Phoenix. The heatwave is also making the wildfire worse. Between the smoke and the ozone, the skies are full of haze.
Heat, smoke, and ozone are all killers. They affect seniors the most, who are more likely to have medical conditions exacerbated by any of the 3 problems. Infants are also very vulnerable to heat waves, because their bodies aren’t good at regulating their temperature. Ozone and smoke affect people of all ages. Ozone triggers asthma attacks and causes respiratory problems, causes emphysema to get worse, and can cause asthma. Smoke is one of the most damaging kinds of particle air pollution, and can trigger heart attacks and strokes, as well as causing numerous other long term health problems, making children and adults more vulnerable to viral illnesses such as covid or influenza, and damaging children’s lung growth.
How could this affect us in the Southeast? We also get heatwaves, we also have ozone problems, and we have experienced record wildfires just 4 years ago. All of them cause health problems and increased deaths.
Heat, smoke, and ozone are also all made worse by a changing climate. As the climate continues to change, we can expect more of this. It is clear we are in a health emergency caused by the climate emergency. It is caused by us burning fuel (fossil and biomass), for energy and for transportation. We need clean energy, and we need clean transportation!
Please take action and contact all your federal and state officials, and let them know they need to act on climate. There are actions each of them can take, and they all need to know you support taking action, no matter what party they are in. Now is the time to do something, to keep it from getting worse!
06/17/2021
