New Weather Service Heat Risk Tool-Weather Is Political

​The National Weather Service has started a new Heat Risk tool to tell people about the potential physical impact of how hot it is where they live.  Above you see what it looks like.  Below is what the Weather Service writes under a heading of "Who Is Most Susceptible To The Heat."  

• The elderly and the very young
• People experiencing homelessness
• Those on certain medications and/or those with pre-existing conditions which make them more sensitive to heat (your doctor can let you know if this is you)
• Those working outdoors -- especially new workers, temporary workers, or those returning to work after a week or more off, along with workers working indoors in a non-cooled space
• Those exercising or doing strenuous activities outdoors during the heat of the day - especially those not used to the level of heat expected, those who are not drinking enough fluids, or those new to that type of activity
• Those without a reliable source of cooling and/or hydration - this includes otherwise healthy individuals who are attending outdoor activities and are exposed to the heat and may not recognize the early symptoms of heat stress
• Those not acclimated to the level of heat expected - especially those who are new to a much warmer climate
• Those sensitive to poor air quality, which can be exacerbated by heat waves
• Those living in low income communities
• Some economic sectors are also affected by increasing levels of heat, such as energy and transportation

I post this on the Houston Democracy Project because I want everyone be safe from the heat. Heat impacts Houston very much. But also because it is political. It's no mistake the National Weather Service added this feature now. There is heat wave after heat wave in the United States and across the world. Increasingly it is possible to link this heat to climate change.   

One reason Europe is moving to the far right, is a fear of refugees fleeing climate change.  (Climate change caused by the West.) Another reason for the switch to the right, is that Europeans don't want to pay the bill for what they've done. 

If you read the list above, you see the role of policy in who is impacted by extreme heat. The homeless. Temporary workers or those working indoors without air-conditioning. People in low income communities.

The weather is political. The National Weather Service gets it. Right-wing politicians get it. We must understand it as well and be ready for whatever is on the way. Trouble is coming from so many directions. As daunting as it is, we must recognize all the sources of trouble if we are going to have hope of fighting back and prevailing.            

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