🥵 Strategies to stay cool in extreme heat

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View this email online Clare Marie Schneider/NPR Friends, With record high temperatures across the globe, it seems like hot girl summer has taken on a whole new meaning: this week London was as hot as the Sahara, Japan is suffering a blistering heatwave amid an energy crunch, high temperatures throughout Western Europe are fueling wildfire and drought, and here in the US, around 100 million people are experiencing triple-digit highs from Phoenix to Boston.  And this could be the coolest summer for the rest of our lives — but there’s nothing cool about that! When temperatures rise, so do health problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, heatwaves kill more people each year than any other weather event, and a recent survey shows more than half of Americans have felt the impacts of extreme heat.  While the Biden administration is struggling to address climate change without support from Congress, other policymakers are stalling out on climate agendas and places like Texas are worried about the stress cooling homes will put on the state power grid. While it’s hard not to constantly sweat the big picture, remember that there’s still a lot you can do to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible. Newsletter continues after sponsor message When life figuratively or literally turns up the heat, start by taking a deep breath and drinking some water. Then, learn how you can stay cool – and help the vulnerable people around you stay safe. 💧Cover your windows, wear light-colored clothing and HYDRATE! For anyone bracing for a heatwave this weekend, here’s our episode on how to stay safe and cool in extreme heat. Listen to the episode 🤝Care for unhoused neighbors by helping them find shade or cooling centers. Unhoused people are much more vulnerable to extreme heat conditions. This LA Times article shares tips on how to help.  🐶Protect your pets’ paws if they’re going outside. A veterinarian reminds us that paws can be very sensitive to hot pavement! Here’s how to keep them safe. ⚡Consider a generator if you live in a place where electricity might be disrupted.  Generators can be life-saving in natural disaster situations. Southerly Mag has what you need to know.  🧊Keep your AC on – but turn it up a few degrees – when you leave the house. This episode from Brain Stuff explains how that can help.  🏡Cut your carbon emissions at home. This Life Kit episode can help you assess your home’s carbon footprint and find ways to be more eco-friendly where you can.  🌆If you feel like it’s hotter in the city, you’re not imagining it. Watch this NPR explainer video to understand “the heat island effect.”  🌎Find tools to cope with climate anxiety. The stress of climate change is real. This episode with an ecotherapist can walk you through strategies to help.  Thinking cool thoughts for you this weekend, friends. May the sweet sounds of the ice cream truck be just around the corner.  –Andee Tagle, Life Kit producer    Access Sponsor-Free Episodes Want to support our show? Try a subscription to Life Kit+ and get all the tips and tricks you love with none of the sponsor interruptions! Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit.  Learn More 💡 What's a hack that's changed your life?  💡   Send us a note at lifekit@npr.org or leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823. Your life tip could appear on an upcoming episode of Life Kit or in our video series on Instagram! Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy