Extreme heat is coming for the least prepared

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Apr 27, 2023 View in browser   By Arianna Skibell Presented by Chevron A girl runs on the dried, cracked landscape of Hanna Lake near Quetta, Pakistan, in 2001. | Paula Bronstein/Getty Images A record-shattering heat wave that scorched the temperate Pacific Northwest in 2021 is just the beginning, scientists say. Extreme heat is on the rise around the world as the climate changes, writes Chelsea Harvey. And regions that have the least experience with high temperatures may be the most at risk, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications. Countries and localities are often prepared only for the worst disasters they have experienced within collective memory, the study says. That leaves regions that have never felt extreme heat particularly vulnerable. That was the case when unprecedented heat blistered regions of Oregon, Washington state and British Columbia in June 2021, leaving hundreds of people dead. Many homes did not have air conditioning as temperatures surpassed 100 degrees, hitting all-time highs in Portland and Seattle. The tiny village of Lytton, British Columbia, saw temperatures reach 121 degrees. Particularly at risk are places with large or rapidly growing populations, where future heat waves will affect more people. This includes many developing countries, which may also lack adequate resources to adapt to extreme temperatures, the study found. Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and countries in Central America, for example, are likely to experience extreme heat and may not be prepared. But even developed nations such as Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Australia may be vulnerable. Geography aside, heat is not an equal-opportunity killer. In addition to directly causing dehydration or heat stroke, extreme heat can also worsen underlying health conditions. Research shows that people of color are more likely to have chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Lack of access to air conditioning, medical care or nutrition only compounds the problem.   It's Thursday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@eenews.net.   A message from Chevron: We’re working to help lower the lifecycle carbon emissions of transportation fuels. Find out how Chevron’s renewable diesel can help fuel the way to a lower carbon future.   Listen to today’s POLITICO Energy podcast Today in POLITICO Energy’s podcast: Zack Colman breaks down why President Joe Biden’s latest attempt to cut the nation’s climate pollution could come with serious political consequences. Featured story Ron DeSantis, right, is sworn in as Florida governor in January 2019. | Lynne Sladky/AP Photo Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' energy record offers some clues about how he might tackle the issue if he enters the 2024 presidential race, writes Zach Bright. For example, in his first budget proposal as governor, DeSantis included a permanent sales tax break for gas stoves in the name of personal freedom. “They are coming for any little thing in your life that they can do,” he said at the time, referring to Washington policymakers, and “they ultimately want to control the amount of energy you consume.”   A message from Chevron:   Power Centers House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks with reporters at the U.S. Capitol. | Francis Chung/POLITICO GOP climate counter Republicans are confident their renewed focus on protecting fossil fuels can help them unseat Biden and expand their control of the Hill, write Zack Colman and Josh Siegel. But so far, the voters they’re hoping to attract don’t seem to care. Stalled transmission One of the largest clean energy projects in New England is racking up victories in court, but the project’s developer says it won’t know until midyear when construction will resume, writes Benjamin Storrow. Analysts say the uncertain construction schedule facing New England Clean Energy Connect, a transmission line linking hydroelectric dams in Canada to customers in the Northeast, underscores the challenge hampering clean energy development in the United States. In Other News Impacts: Scientists have found that climate change caused the catastrophic drought in East Africa. What's in a name? Climate activists are urging U.S. officials to drop the "natural" in natural gas, arguing the term is misleading.   GO INSIDE THE 2023 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is proud to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage, insider nuggets and unparalleled insights from the 2023 Global Conference, which will convene leaders in health, finance, politics, philanthropy and entertainment from April 30-May 3. This year’s theme, Advancing a Thriving World, will challenge and inspire attendees to lean into building an optimistic coalition capable of tackling the issues and inequities we collectively face. Don’t miss a thing — subscribe today for a front row seat.     Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. An electric vehicle charges in Los Angeles on Aug. 25, 2022. | Jae C. Hong/AP Photo A new California bill would turn electric vehicles into a backup power supply for the state’s troubled grid, but experts say the idea still has technological hurdles to overcome. The head of the oil industry's main lobbying group complained last year to Energy Department officials that the White House was playing a "blame game" over high gasoline prices. GOP lawmakers are urging FERC to improve the reliability of the power grid, including potentially revisiting the organized markets that dominate the U.S. electricity system. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.   A message from Chevron: Renewable fuels can help lower lifecycle carbon emissions in industries around the world. At Chevron, we’re working to bring more renewable fuels to vehicles, today. Our renewable diesel can fuel trucks, trains, heavy-duty vehicles, and more, without requiring new equipment or infrastructure. The fuel—which is made with bio feedstock—has lower carbon intensity than regular diesel. It’s just one of the ways Chevron is committed to increasing our renewable fuel production, and fueling a lower carbon world. Find out more about our renewable diesel.     LISTEN TO POLITICO'S ENERGY PODCAST: Check out our daily five-minute brief on the latest energy and environmental politics and policy news. Don't miss out on the must-know stories, candid insights, and analysis from POLITICO's energy team. Listen today.       Follow us on Twitter Arianna Skibell @ariannaskibell   Follow us

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