Topline
The Biden administration is taking a significant step towards addressing the impact of extreme heat in the United States by creating a new federal system to track heat-related illnesses nationwide, according to a report by NBC News reported on Wednesday. However, some officials argue that more needs to be done to recognize the seriousness of extreme heat on communities.
According to the EPA, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
Key Facts
The Health and Human Services Department will oversee a national dashboard called the EMS HeatTracker. This dashboard will provide maps of emergency services across the country responding to calls about heat-related illness, as reported by NBC.
The EMS HeatTracker will collect various data points about the individuals affected by extreme heat, including age, race, gender, and urbanicity, according to officials interviewed by NBC.
Crucial Quote
“Heat is no longer a silent killer,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in a statement to NBC. “From coast-to-coast, communities are battling to keep people cool, safe, and alive due to the growing impacts of the climate crisis.”
News Peg
This summer, many major U.S. cities experienced extreme heat, with numerous records being broken. According to NOAA, July 4th became the hottest day on Earth in as many as 125,000 years, surpassing a previous record set the day before. In addition, Arizona, Florida, Maine, and New Mexico all had their warmest July on record. Thirteen more states had one of the top-10 warmest Julys on record, and June was the hottest June globally in NOAA’s 174-year climate record.
Key Background
The Biden Administration’s initiative comes in response to growing calls from state and local officials for the federal government to address the effects of extreme heat. Unfortunately, the current restrictions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) limit its ability to respond effectively to heat-related disasters. Representative Ruben Gallego (D) introduced the “Extreme Heat Emergency Act” in June, aiming to amend FEMA’s restrictions. Gallego believes that including heat in the Stafford Act, a federal law that governs disaster response, would enable cities to receive more assistance from the federal government, such as mobile cooling units.
Surprising Fact
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Follow Google News
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
