Record-high temperatures, ranging from the upper 90s to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, have swept across the United States in recent weeks, resulting in a series of dangerous and unfortunate consequences. For example, the Virginia drawbridge experienced a heat malfunction and was unable to close during rush hour, causing major traffic delays. Additionally, there was a "mass-casualty event" of fainting teenagers as a concert was cut short in Washington, DC. Furthermore, "Amtrak passengers were stuck on a train with no air conditioning in a Baltimore tunnel, while some subway services in New York were suspended".
These events are only the beginning of how severe the impacts could become if action is not taken against these heat waves, and more importantly, climate change. States including Illinois, Massachusetts, Arizona, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana all have ratings of 3, indicating major heat risks according to the National Weather Service. About 39.9 million people are expected to live in dangerous levels of heat.
Climate change has been a topic of concern for many decades, but little action has been taken to address it. It has been proven that as climate change worsens, heat waves become longer and hotter, causing greater harm to living organisms worldwide. Cristian Martinez-Villalobos, an assistant professor of engineering and science at the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, agrees and states, "By taking into account the natural variation of temperatures at each location, we find that recent observed trends of heat wave durations already follow a similar pattern of acceleration predicted by climate models."
The development of infrastructure, technology use, extraction of nonrenewable resources, littering, and agriculture are all examples of environmental harm. These practices are unsustainable as they create pollution, especially in the atmosphere. This is where consequences extend beyond just severe heat. For example, "Extreme heat can trap polluted air in place, so it does not dissipate. Climate change is making wildfires more frequent and intense, pumping smoke into the atmosphere, and reversing a decades-long trend of improving air quality in parts of the United States. [Additionally], a 2023 analysis of more than 20 million deaths worldwide found that hot days and days with bad air quality both resulted in higher-than-normal mortality rates".
Currently, the Trump Administration has deprioritized climate action within its policy agenda. This shift harms sustainability efforts; for example, "the Trump administration is moving to weaken limits on emissions from power plants and cars, which could increase carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and other pollutants. It is also encouraging more mining and burning of coal, the dirtiest of the fossil fuels." The current administration aims to direct federal funding toward issues related to immigration, border control, taxation, and the military, while cutting the EPA and climate research budgets that are vital for sustainable progress in the U.S.
Voting is the most powerful way to make a difference and feel as though your voice is heard. This applies not only to the president but also to state representatives, senators, governors, and other officials. One of the most significant elections is the midterm general election, held halfway through every president's four-year term. These elections include many House representatives and senators up for re-election. If you are passionate about sustainability, air quality, renewable energy, stable temperatures, and the health and wellness of Americans, then be sure to vote for candidates who share these priorities.