Summary
As global temperatures continue to rise, so do heat-related deaths. Some U.S. cities are feeling the effects of high-temperature emergencies right now, including in Phoenix, Arizona. The city created the first publicly funded office to focus on the problem caused by higher temperatures. For a transcript, click here .Five Facts
- Where in the U.S. are heat waves most extreme?
- What did the city of Phoenix create in order to address the problem?
- How has Phoenix adapted its infrastructure for extreme heat?
- Which community in Phoenix is most vulnerable to extreme heat?
- What is a “heat island”?
Focus Questions
Think about the ways that you stay cool when your area experiences a hot day. What things about your house, neighborhood, or local community allow you to stay cool? Do you think everybody in your city/town/state/country has access to these things? Media literacy : This segment featured an interview with David Hondula, director of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. Why do you think the PBS editors chose to interview him? Are there other voices you wish were included in this interview?For More
If you want to learn more about the recent heat wave and what it means for climate change, check out the article below by clicking on the image.
Leo Kamin, a rising sophomore at Amherst College and intern at NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Luke Gerwe. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning of the school year. Fill out this form to share your thoughts on today’s lesson.
