Opinion: Phoenix Heat Records Signal Urgent Need for Climate Action

Phoenix hit 110 degrees for the 56th time this year, breaking the previous record and underscoring the urgent need for climate action.Photo byMatt PalmeronUnsplash

Note from Editor: The views expressed here are the author's (Journalist Brian Cano Sr.) own and do not necessarily reflect those of Tysonomo Multimedia.

PHOENIX - Arizona is undeniably facing the effects of climate change, and the data paints a stark picture. Phoenix, a city long accustomed to high temperatures, is now setting record after record for extreme heat.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that Phoenix set new heat records on Thursday, with the temperature hitting 110 degrees for the 56th time this year, surpassing the previous record of 55 days set in 2023.

This is not just an anomaly—it's a dangerous trend that underscores the impact of a warming planet. Heat-related illnesses are on the rise.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conditions like heat exhaustion and heatstroke occur when the body cannot cool itself fast enough. Symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and nausea are often early signs.

Vulnerable populations—older adults, children, and those with chronic illnesses—are at the highest risk. While staying indoors with air conditioning might seem like an easy fix, it is only a temporary solution to a much bigger problem.

Communities that are mostly black, Hispanic or Native American experience 50% greater vulnerability, according to nature.org.Photo byMatt PalmeronUnsplash

The excessive heat warning issued by NWS Phoenix this week is yet another reminder of the increasing severity of our climate challenges. Temperatures could reach as high as 117 degrees in Phoenix and 100 degrees in Los Angeles.

As these heat waves grow more frequent and intense, they pose an undeniable risk to public health and safety. Phoenix’s plight is not isolated. Overall, more than 29 million Americans are currently under heat and wildfire alerts.

July 2024 was officially the hottest month ever recorded globally since record-keeping began in 1850, according to the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information.

This should serve as a wake-up call.

Arizona's extreme heat is part of a larger climate crisis, and we can no longer afford to ignore the consequences.

It’s time for national action, policy changes, and public awareness campaigns. If we don’t act now, the future of Arizona—and the world—will only get hotter.