As Trump Moves to Kill Climate Policy, Extreme Heat Smothers Much of America

Washington, D.C. — As the Trump Administration moves to eliminate the legal foundation for protections against climate-warming pollution, a life-threatening and long-lasting heat wave continues to smother vast swaths of the country.

In communities stretching from the Southeast to the Great Plains, record temperatures are endangering workers, children, and the elderly, putting millions at increased risk of heat stroke, asthma attacks, and other illnesses. 

Along with the public health risks, extreme heat – which will only become more severe and common as the climate crisis accelerates – is causing power demand to surge, further straining our overburdened grid and driving up energy bills.

Millions of Americans are suffering from extreme heat across the country:

• Bloomberg: Searing Heat Threatens Grids, Health Over Nearly Half the US

• ABC News: Extreme heat dome puts 170 million Americans in danger for hot, humid temperatures

• FOX Weather: Life-threatening heat dome broils millions across eastern US as records tumble

• USA Today: Late July’s oppressive heat forecast isn’t normal

• ABC News: As much of the US braces for extreme heat, statistics show 2,000 die from it annually

• WTVD (Raleigh, NC): Heatwave tests power grids, sporadic power outages reported, Duke Energy confirms

• The Telegraph (Macon, GA) ‘Backdrop of climate warming’ plays into extreme Georgia heat. What to know

• Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, OH): Flash flood warning issued for central Ohio followed by extreme heat south of Columbus

• WPVI (Philadelphia, PA): Extreme heat grips Delaware Valley with all counties at risk

• WRTV (Indianapolis, IN): Hoosiers struggle with soaring electric bills amid extreme heat

• WATE (Knoxville, TN): ‘The heat is suffocating’: Outdoor workers battle heat wave in East Tennessee

• MPR (Minneapolis, MN): Extreme heat causes pavement buckling in Minnesota

• WUSF (Tampa, FL): Farmworkers face ‘brutal’ conditions amid heat advisory, extreme heat watch

• WAAY (Huntsville, AL): Extreme heat in North Alabama poses increased risks for those with asthma and diabetes