It's no secret that climate change is happening. The idea that it is a hoax is probably still floating around, but scientists have shown evidence contrary to this over and over. The climate is also still breaking records when it comes to temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Forecast System (NOAA GFS) documented the air temperature from June 18-26. This showed a "record-breaking heatwave" with a country average of around 71ºF. A heat dome was attributed to this temperature rise. This means a high pressure system is keeping the hot air close to the surface for a period of time. The entrapment limits heat escape, and the surrounding air rises in temperature.
The immense heat not only affects the Earth but also the power grids. The past 10 years have seen "60 percent more heat-related power outages," and 2024 was the "hottest year on record." During the heatwave, transformers can undergo overheating and/or failure; complete failure may lead to a blackout, which leaves many consumers without power. As the heat goes up, so does the electricity demand. PJM Interconnection and ISO New England facilitate power to the northeast and Midwest US. Both of these companies experienced single-day usage records at 160,560 and 25,898 megawatts (MW), respectively, in one hour.
Natural changes (such as weather) and anthropomorphic changes (such as fuel emissions) affect the environment and are bound to affect humans at some point. These heatwaves can affect us in several ways, and we should learn about them so we're able to take the appropriate measures to stay safe. One of these issues is the monetary price of electricity. Those record uses mentioned above equate to significant price increases. In particular, ISO New England peaked at $65/MWh (June 17th); during the heatwave, prices peaked at $1,110MWh. This substantial increase may not be affordable to everyone and could lead to people without power. Besides the economic challenges, heatwaves can bring a handful of health challenges. People in urban areas are especially at risk because of the lack of vegetation and concrete surroundings. Extensive heat exposure can lead to heat illness or injury. Some symptoms may include: dizziness/lightheadedness, muscle cramps, nausea, and confusion. Other factors, such as age—being very young or old—occupation, and even genetics, can play into heat illness. In New Jersey, evaluations during a couple of high school graduations yielded 16 hospital visits.
With the rise in climate temperature and subsequent rises in injury potential and energy demand, there must be a way to soften the blow and keep our environment and ourselves healthy. Between the demand, grid struggles, and price, it is clear that our current electrical systems may continue to have problems in the coming years. An alternative is moving to solar power. If homeowners implement solar power, they won't be subject to the potential "heat-driven energy price spikes" that the above companies experienced. Instead of relying on the energy from the company, homes and even businesses could be powered by natural sunlight. This would be crucial during a heatwave because cool air could be available during the heat of the day. Speaking of cooling, another way to combat the heat is to set up solar-powered cooling centers. These are areas where people can take shelter from the heat. They can "operate independently" from main grids, which can ensure power during outages. Also, moving close to solar energy would benefit the environment as it does not require greenhouse gas emissions.
Most of the change in the climate can be traced back to our use of fossil fuels. Solar panels would generate cleaner energy and could potentially shade areas that may absorb heat easily. Moving to solar energy could help humans save money, live safer, and protect our environment from further heat damage.