Will Heat Break Us?

Note: The following is summarized from a June 25, 2025, New York Times article by Ashley Ward, a heat and health researcher at Duke and now Harvard University. These are her conclusions regarding heat.

Just days into summer 2025, a record-breaking heat dome is causing widespread disruptions across the United States. From buckling pavement and train delays to strained power grids and rising heat-related illnesses, these incidents signal a new era of frequent, intense heat waves challenging both infrastructure and public health.

Beyond Heat into Economic Reality

These disruptions aren't isolated incidents. They represent the tangible effects of extreme heat on American communities. Research shows that regardless of political beliefs, Americans share common concerns about high energy costs and dangerous living conditions during heat emergencies.

Extreme heat significantly impacts:

• Labor productivity across outdoor industries

• Economic stability in heat-vulnerable regions

• National security through military operation challenges

• Rural economies dependent on outdoor manufacturing, assembly, and agriculture

• Supply chain logistics and transportation systems

Bipartisan Heat Solutions Gain Congressional Support

As extreme heat becomes more costly and disruptive, a new bipartisan Extreme Heat Caucus in Congress signals growing recognition of heat as a serious policy issue. The focus shifts toward practical responses: protecting workers, minimizing economic losses, and safeguarding public health.

Treating Heat Like Hurricanes

Experts recommend treating extreme heat with the same urgency as hurricanes by:

• Anticipating heat damage through improved forecasting

• Issuing effective heat alerts based on health impacts, not outdated statistical thresholds

• Investing in protective infrastructure, including cooling centers and reflective roofing systems

• Upgrading emergency response protocols for heat-related health emergencies

Current Heat Alert Systems Fall Short

Existing heat warning systems often fall short because they rely on outdated temperature thresholds rather than real-world health impacts on vulnerable populations.

Companies Implementing Heat Safety Innovations

Forward-thinking businesses are already taking action:

GE Appliances: Has upgraded cooling systems to improve worker safety and retention rates

Construction Industry: Wearable technology detects early heat stress symptoms in workers

Delta Air Lines: Partners with research institutes to protect ground crew safety

UPS: Provides cooling gear and upgraded vehicle ventilation through new worker safety agreements

Building Climate-Resilient Systems

Nonpartisan support could drive improvements across multiple areas:

• Enhanced emergency response protocols for heat waves

• Stronger workplace heat protections for outdoor workers

• More resilient power grid infrastructure to handle peak cooling demand

• Advanced cooling technologies for homes and businesses

• Urban heat reduction strategies, including reflective surfaces and green infrastructure

The Path Forward: Effective solutions exist, but they must be scaled up rapidly and efficiently. Congress, businesses, and governments at all levels should treat extreme heat as a serious, year-round risk—not just a seasonal summer issue.

Immediate steps we can take now:

• Prioritizing heat preparedness in infrastructure planning

• Protecting workers through updated safety standards

• Strengthening essential systems against heat damage

• Building community resilience through cooling resources

Long-term benefits: Enhanced heat preparedness will protect workers, safeguard infrastructure, and strengthen both economic stability and community resilience against future extreme heat events.

Key Takeaway: As record-breaking temperatures become more frequent, the shift from climate debate to practical heat solutions offers hope for bipartisan progress on one of America's most pressing infrastructure and public health challenges.

My Take: The views expressed here are Ms. Wards. However, I am deeply concerned about the changes happening to our climate and environment. I have two kids. Like any father, I want them to live in a safe and healthy world and for their children to do the same. I'm glad she says this is a bipartisan issue. But it should not even be a political issue. It's all about our health, our economy, and the future of this planet.

Ashley Ward studies the health effects of climate extremes and community resilience. She leads the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, where she develops policy solutions to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on human health.