Severe heat warnings are in effect in 28 states across the US | climate crisis

The National Weather Service He warned that extreme heat will affect more than 100 million people in the United States this week, with triple-digit temperatures in some states and a record breaking temperature in many areas across the country.

“Above-normal temperatures will continue to spread across most of the United States through the end of the week, with a significant portion of the population remaining under heat-related warnings and warnings,” the agency said.

Heat warnings and warnings have been put in place in 28 states, with the central and southern states facing the brunt of the scorching heat.

Some parts of Oklahoma hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) this week, while the Dallas area hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius).

Emergency Medical Services in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has reported an increase in heat-related emergency calls this year. The city’s Emergency Medical Services said it has received nearly 250 calls this year, a number usually reached later in the summer.

“It’s very concerning,” said Adam Baluka of the department. CNN. “Especially as the number of patients being transferred suggests that some of these calls are heat strokes, which can be fatal.”

In the northeast, where temperatures stabilize at more than 90 F (32 C), city leaders have warned residents to limit outdoor activity during the hottest times of the day.

Philadelphia announce “Heat emergency health emergency” for Thursday and established a “heat line” number for residents suffering from extreme heat. Boston opened community centers and swimming pools as places to cool off.

“Clearly climate change poses a threat to our health,” said Michael Wu, Mayor of Boston. He said Wednesday. “I urge everyone to stay calm and safe, and check on your neighbors this week.”

In Phoenix, America’s hottest city, a severe heat warning was issued for Thursday and Friday. The temperature is expected to reach 113 F (45 C) on Thursday afternoon and 115 F (46 C) on Friday afternoon. Heat warnings are only issued when temperatures are above average for that time of year, and in Phoenix in July that means temperatures above 112 degrees Fahrenheit. So far this year, the city has broken or returned four records for daytime highs and nine nightly lows.

The effect of heat is cumulative and the body only begins to recover when temperatures drop below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Climate scientists have warned about it heat waves – which has spread across Europe and Asia this summer – will be more intense and prolonged if the climate emergency is not addressed. A study published in May showed that human influence on climate made the likelihood of a particular heat wave in South Asia increased by 30 times.

Speaking in Somerset, Mass., about the climate crisis on Wednesday, Joe Biden He said that global warming is an “emergency” but failed to declare a national emergency, as activists had hoped the president would. Such a declaration would allow Biden to prevent imports of crude oil or direct the military to work on producing renewable energy. The White House said a formal emergency declaration “remains on the table.”

“It is literally, not figuratively, a clear and present danger,” Biden said. “The health of our citizens and communities is really at risk.”

Additional reporting by Nina Lakhani