Triple-digit temperatures in NYC used to be rare. Since 1869, the city has only had 60 days of temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Nowadays, with accelerating global warming, these high temperatures are becoming increasingly common. The National Weather Service defines a heat wave as a “period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days.” This Tuesday, temperatures in New York City reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This early and intense heat is highly linked to climate change. As global temperatures rise, cities like New York are likely to experience more heat events this summer. The effects of a heat wave go beyond discomfort: health risks increase among vulnerable communities, and public infrastructure is strained.
The National Weather Service issued an “Extreme Heat Warning” to all areas in New York City from June 22 to 24 as heat index values reached up to 106. The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels to the human body in combination with humidity, and a warning is issued whenever it’s forecasted to be over 105 for at least two consecutive days. The last time the temperature in New York City reached 100 degrees was in 2012. Additionally, the average June high temperature for previous years is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, making these last few days of the month well above the historical norm. Long-term trends amplify the significance of these data. According to ScienceDirect, from the mid-20th century to the present, the average heat wave gap has decreased by 41%, and the number of short gaps (≤5 days) has increased by 300%.
As average high temperatures continue to rise in future years, people become more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat. The National Weather Service warns: “Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.” Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, rapid breathing, dehydration and a very high body temperature (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Severe heat exhaustion leads to heatstroke, a medical emergency. It is important to seek proper care immediately. On average, 350 people in New York City die every year from heat strokes. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that “there are around 489,000 heat-related deaths per year.” As global warming worsens, these numbers are also likely to continue increasing steadily.
The abnormally high temperatures in June have impacted the daily lives of many Fieldston students. Rama Bah (Form V) expressed, “It’s frustrating, especially during the nighttime when my AC is all the way up and I’m still sweating.” She added, “I know my baby sister probably has it worse as she experiences hot temperatures much more extreme than us, so we have to ensure she’s not burning hot throughout the night.” Bah’s experience with her family reflects how heat waves are a growing concern among certain groups of people, specifically younger children, as higher temperatures increasingly challenge day-to-day comfort.
Lucia Mastroianni (Form V) noticed just how difficult it was to maintain outdoor activities under this weather. “The heat is excruciating!” said Mastroianni. “I was practicing field hockey shots in my backyard and instantly started sweating… I could only stay outside for 10 minutes before needing to come inside to the cool air conditioning.”
In response to the heatwave, NYC opened cooling centers across all five boroughs, providing free and accessible shelter from the heat. The National Weather Service advises residents to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated and use air conditioning. However, it is important to manage the amount of energy used to power these cooling systems. Many buildings ask their residents to conserve energy. My building emailed residents on June 23, advising against setting the AC temperature below 74 degrees.
As this heatwave significantly impacted the Midwest and East Coast of the United States, there’s a pattern that major cities experienced more extreme high temperatures compared to suburban and rural areas. Densely populated cities create the “urban heat island effect.” According to the Government of New York City, these islands are formed when “natural surfaces that were once permeable are paved with asphalt or covered by buildings and other structures.” These surfaces absorb radiation from the sun during the day and are re-radiated during the night, raising ambient temperatures. Additionally, waste heat from air conditioners and increasing greenhouse gas concentrations lead to global warming. After all, climate change is caused by human activity.
Three days of consecutive high 90-degree temperatures in June are out of the norm for New York City. Our city’s experience reflects a larger issue that is also impacting the world. With warmer temperatures, humans aren’t the only ones that are affected. Extreme heat can lead to droughts, wildfires, damaged crops, a disrupted ecosystem and all sorts of chain effects. Air conditioning may solve many of our discomforts at the moment, but in the long run, it is important to prevent further irreversible damage to the Earth.
