A groundbreaking study reveals the profound impact of extreme heat on our everyday routines and transportation choices, underscoring the urgent need for policymakers to address the growing climate challenges.
The Heat’s Grip on Daily Life
Led by scientists from Arizona State University, the University of Washington and the University of Texas at Austin, the study is one of the first to focus on where people live and how they move in cities — literally mapping out human scale in urban areas.
The research suggests that people will become more “temperature-avoidant” and spend less time sitting at cafes in the sun. Trips made to dine out, shop and socialize are down as people try avoid the blistering heat.
There was also a marked change in transportation preferences when the temperature goes from hot to extremely hot, the researchers noted. That results in more single-occupancy car trips, less walking and cycling and a massive peak in traffic as people try to drive at speeds of their choosing. This presents a major problem for cities trying to get more people on bikes or public transport, particularly as the impact of climate change becomes more severe.
The Blows of Extreme Heat-It Hits the Poor Hardest
This research exposes an inequitable exposure to extreme heat among specific social strata. The heat-permeable modes of transport — walking, public transportation — can be a real killer, especially for sentenced folks who have to move fast and low-income people who do not own vehicles.
They earn less and have a harder time working when they wish and where, often forcing them to travel at times when it is too hot. Except for those without a car, few travelled significantly less on extremely hot days but this may reflect limited trip options and suggests that they are being exposed to higher levels of heat stress.
The findings also underscore the plight of elderly people who, being less able to alter their daily routines as well as a bit more constrained in life and living situations, are at a heightened risk for becoming isolated from society if they stay inside to keep cool. This will only increase the urgency for specific policy measures that are designed to shield the most vulnerable population.
Conclusion
The results of the study imply that policy makers and city planners are now on a breaking point to respond to one of the urban risks which most likely is in favor: upsurge of extreme heat. Heat mitigation should be integrated into their transportation and urban planning so that we can have more heat-resilient cities where all refugees are protected, regardless of wealth or their means of transport. But as with all these measures, the issue is not confined to localities; and, in view of climate change now clearly under way a worldwide problem; here so too time for action.
