WVXU: Are heat waves the new normal?
Environmental studies professor talks about record-setting heat this year
WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition turned to an environmental studies professor at the University of Cincinnati to put record heat waves countries around the world have been seeing into context.
Bob Hyland, an associate professor and educator in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, said this has been the hottest summer on record globally, based on data collected by the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
“It is getting hotter. These hot temperatures in July are on the heels of the hottest June in the 174-year-record we have,” Hyland told Cincinnati Edition host Lucy May.
Hyland was joined by WCPO-9 morning meteorologist Jennifer Ketchmark, who noted that this is an El Niño year, which tends to create warmer air currents. The Southwest has been affected the most this year, she said.
“For the last 30 to 40 days, it has been breaking heat records. Just overwhelming heat building in the Southwest,” she said.
Ketchmark said the best way to beat the extreme heat is to drink more water to stay hydrated, wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing and when possible to avoid going outside in the afternoon when the heat is at its peak.
Ketchmark said the high temps can lead to other extreme weather. Cincinnati has gotten 8 inches of rain in July, more than double the normal amount.
How are we coping? Not always well, Hyland said.
“Heat is the No. 1 killer in terms of climate. That’s the concern,” Hyland said.
Ketchmark said heat-related deaths often spike on the third day of a heat wave when people’s bodies can no longer cope with the stress.
Hyland noted that deadly heat can affect neighborhoods disproportionately. A 2020 study by Cincinnati found that some neighborhoods serve as urban heat islands, trapping the heat from the sun overnight like an oven that is slow to cool. These neighborhoods have high-density construction and unshaded parking lots that can create a heat sink.
“If we’re going to get our arms around this problem, what we need to do is reduce the amount of greenhouse gas going into the atmosphere,” Hyland said.
Related Stories
How to keep birds from flying into your windows
July 3, 2024
UC College of Arts and Sciences professor Ron Canterbury tells the Indianapolis Star that simple steps can prevent birds from strike windows around your home or business. Yahoo! News shares the story.
WalletHub: 5 best chip and pin credit cards
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati director discusses 5 best chip and pin credit cards with WalletHub
WVXU: Supreme Court temporarily blocks key air pollution regulations
July 1, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor spoke with WVXU about recent Supreme Court decision to temporarily block key air pollution regulations.
Put down that beer; it's not a tanning lotion
July 1, 2024
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to discuss what's fact and what's myth when it comes to sunscreen use, different kinds of sunscreen and a social media recommendation to use beer on your skin to help get a tan.
Meet UC’s Miss Ohio
July 1, 2024
UC biomedical science student Stephanie Finoti credits UC for helping to prepare her for the Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageant. She will represent Ohio in the national competition in January.
UC alum visits campus to teach students about footwear design
June 28, 2024
A 2011 graduate of design, UC alum Charley Hudak has seen his career trajectory go from intern to creative director for Tiger Woods' new athletic footwear brand, Sun Day Red. While he may run with the biggest cat in golf, Hudak doesn't forget his Bearcat roots and comes back each summer to teach youth about footwear design at DAAP Camps.
Slate: How the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy
June 28, 2024
University of Cincinnati law professor, Joseph Tomain, wrote a Slate editorial discussion how the Supreme Court has shaped the US economy.
Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work better
June 28, 2024
WVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
UC opens Blood Cancer Healing Center
June 28, 2024
Media outlets including WLWT, Local 12, Spectrum News, the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cleveland.com highlighted the opening of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Blood Cancer Healing Center.
Financial factors to consider when moving
June 27, 2024
Moving can be a stressful and expensive endeavor. When it comes time to move, there are important financial implications to consider, Gary Painter, PhD, the academic director of the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business real estate program and a professor of real estate, told USA Today.