Have you been sweltering in the heat? Despite some cooler-than-average temperatures in late June, forecasts favor a hot summer. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has noted that according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), there is now a 55% chance 2024 will be warmer than 2023, and a 99% chance this year will rank in the top five warmest years. 2023 was by far the Earth's warmest year ever since the beginning of global records in 1850. Climate experts at NOAA have predicted that 2024 could be even warmer.
Even without the high heat predictions, summer can be a great time to increase sustainability practices. First, some background on why heat can be so hazardous to our health, and why air conditioning may not be the kindest solution to our bodies (not to mention the environment). Finally, we offer many tips to learn (or maybe re-learn) some time-tested low-environmental-impact strategies for staying cooler.
Heat Health Hazards Are Real
Under ideal circumstances, our bodies will cool themselves down by sweating. But if weather conditions are too hot and too humid, sweat won’t evaporate easily which can cause internal core temperatures, usually about 98.6 degrees, to rise. Once it hits about 104 degrees, heat stroke is a danger. Heat stroke follows heat exhaustion (see graphic below). Anyone experiencing symptoms of heat stroke needs medical attention.
We all need to be aware of this wherever we live or work, but let’s take a moment to look at two particular groups susceptible to being overwhelmed by extreme heat.
Mobile home residents, especially those in a mobile home park. Because most mobile home parks are covered in pavement and with little shade, the potential for extreme heat exposure rises significantly. Climate expert Katharine Hayhoe reported on this in a recent newsletter.
People who work outdoors. Every year, heat exposure is a cause of death for workers, especially those who work outdoors. One of the keys to preventing this is conditioning. The more time a worker has to acclimate to the heat, the better they will be able to handle it. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration agency (OSHA) says employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes and take frequent rest breaks in the shade.
Drawbacks of Air Conditioning
During a heat wave, air conditioning can make the difference between sleeping and not sleeping. I live in a house with central AC and even running it sparingly helps reduce humidity, making my living space much more comfortable. The following information on air conditioning isn’t meant as an admonishment, but rather useful information as you decide what type of cooling is right for you.
As we know, air conditioning has a significant environmental footprint. From historically used CFCs to HFCs (outlined beautifully in this article from Time), both threaten the ozone layer. And both require energy. Air conditioning makes up almost one-fifth of U.S. residential electricity use annually. Even if ways were found to make air conditioning more equitably available (many people live in non- air conditioned places) or reliable (think of the blackouts and power grid failures that are prevalent during heatwaves) or less resource-depleting…there is the important consideration that air conditioning can actually make a body feel worse.
Air conditioning being bad for your body results from a number of factors. Depending on the building, poor air quality may result from keeping the space closed up. Many rely on air conditioning to reduce humidity, which it does well. But over-use of AC can bring indoor conditions that are too dry, resulting in irritation to skin, nasal passages, and eyes. An AC system that is not well-maintained can result in more exposure to microbial allergens.
Spending a lot of time in air conditioning can result in being less heat-tolerant. There is even a term– “adaptive comfort model” –that reinforces the idea that your preferred temperature depends in part on whatever you’ve recently experienced. As Webmd puts it “The more you hang out in spaces pumped full of AC, the less comfortable heat and humidity will feel.”
Author J.B. McKinnon reports on research about metabolic syndrome in his book, The Day The World Stops Shopping. The book focuses not only on conspicuous consumption (shopping), but also inconspicuous consumption (in this case, the expectation of air conditioning). There is a view that metabolic syndrome–a slowdown in metabolism that can result in weight gain, type 2 diabetes, weakening of the immune system and other health problems–is influenced not only by diet and physical activity, but also temperature exposure. In other words, it is likely good for our metabolic health to have our bodies in the regular practice of working to keep us warm or cold. McKinnon also makes the point how prior to the invention of air conditioning, there was no idea of “room temperature.”
Time-tested Ways to Beat the Heat
Be a Fan of Fans
Set up box fans so they push hot air out windows.
Look for the directional switch on your ceiling fan. When the blades run counterclockwise, warm air is pulled up and cool air is pushed down.
Place ice in a shallow pan (like a roasting pan) or bowl and position it in front of a fan. Position yourself to enjoy the cooling mist.
Windows
Close the drapes! Did you know that on average 76% of sunlight that shines through windows comes into your living space as heat? If you don’t have window coverings, consider the investment of a type that reflects sunlight (think white linings on the side facing the glass). This can reduce heat gain by 33%.
Also if you don’t have window covers, a temporary fix can be hanging a wet sheet in front of an open window and enjoying the suddenly cooling breeze
For Sleep, Go Low
Sometimes the worst part of a heat wave is how hard it becomes to get good sleep. If you have a sleeping porch or basement, this is the time to use them! But even moving a mattress to the floor can make a difference. Test out your floor to see if there’s a temperature difference. Of course you may already know the answer if you have pets who regularly jump up to your lap or on the bed with you.
While we’re making the bed extra cool, try these hacks: place your sheets in the freezer. Yes, they will warm up again overnight, but at least it might help you get to sleep. Also, do the seasonal reverse of a hot water bottle by sticking it in the freezer.
Explore even more great ideas on cooling down fast in this blog post from Constellation Energy Company
Working in the Heat
If you work outdoors for paid work or just enjoy gardening, exercise or playing, be aware of the weather. More than just comfort, it’s important to keep your body healthy, even in extremely sweaty conditions. The OSHA recommendations mentioned earlier–drinking water every 15 minutes and taking frequent rest breaks in the shade–are basic and necessary because they work. Here are some other tips:
Wear loose, light-weight and light-colored clothes. Natural materials cotton and linen will allow your skin to breathe.
Schedule outdoor time for early morning or evening
Keep a spray bottle with cool water and use it often on your skin
Keep water bottles in the freezer to have cold water as it melts
Avoid caffeine and alcohol which contribute to dehydration
Replace electrolytes (salt) with specific drinks like switchel (see recipe)
Tie a bandana wet with cold water around your neck
There are many ways to enjoy summer, so don’t let extreme heat keep you indoors. Consider resisting the urge to hide out in air conditioned spaces and instead explore sustainable ways to stay cool. Which lands us at perhaps the most important tip of all: slow down and enjoy this season as best you can!
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