As summer approaches its peak and heat waves roll through the country, power grids are failing, and people are dying. Heat is the number one weather-related cause of death. Young children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with health conditions, and those without access to air-conditioned spaces are the most at-risk groups to these heat waves. Everyone, regardless of age and health status, needs to drink more water, avoid outdoor activities, stay in the shade, plan ahead, and check on their neighbors.

But the human body isn't the only thing under stress—our infrastructure is, too. Heat waves are particularly affecting the eastern United States this summer, and people are opting to blast their air conditioners to keep cool indoors. This increases the pressure on the power grids, which are not made to withstand over 100 degree weather. These outages can lead to cascading crises: loss of air conditioning, disruption of water supply (as pumps rely on electricity), and spoiled food due to failed refrigeration. This ultimately leads to the inability to cool our population down, raising the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.

Cities can take action to prevent failures and keep their areas cool through upgrading the infrastructure, renewable energy, and even architecture. Upgrading infrastructure of the power grids themselves is one of the most direct ways to combat heat waves, allowing the grid to handle more stress and expanding its reach. Power lines can be updated to prevent overheating and sagging, which is a danger that can lead to fires if those lines sag far enough to touch trees. Battery storage can be added to help maintain a backup power supply to be used when demand is high. Another way to reduce stress on one large power grid is to separate it into smaller microgrids that operate independently. Renewable energy is another opportunity to reduce stress on the larger power grid. Individual buildings can install solar panels, which will generate electricity to support the building itself, relying less on the city-wide power grid. Not only does that decrease stress, but it is also a more climate-friendly alternative to keep cool, rather than burning coal and fossil fuels to produce electricity. Further exploring sustainable energy conservation methods, growing trees and other plants provides shade and releases water vapor into the atmosphere. These green spaces have many other benefits, providing habitats for bugs and other wildlife, taking in carbon dioxide, and releasing oxygen.

Individually, we can work to reduce stress on our power grids as well. During those peak use times, try to run your air conditioning a little less. You can even close vents to rooms that aren't being used, also shutting the door to reduce the heat from spreading to the rest of the house. With those vents closed, the cool air can be more concentrated in rooms that are needed, therefore putting less stress on the air conditioning unit and the larger power grid. An additional and simple way to ensure that the air conditioner is running with maximum efficiency is to change the filters regularly. This is something that should be done every three months, and in some instances more frequently if you live with pets or in a particularly dusty place. For windows on the east and west sides of the building, blinds are a great way to reflect a majority of the heat. Overhangs or awnings on south-facing windows can block the summer sun while still allowing winter light, improving energy efficiency year-round. Planting trees, bushes, and other plants in yards can also help reduce the heat in and around your house, providing shade and further cooling effects for your household.