‘Just brutal’: why America’s hottest city is seeing a surge in deaths

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Phoenix, America's hottest city, faces a surge in heat-related deaths due to record temperatures and rising homelessness
• Nearly 400 of last year's heat-related deaths in Phoenix occurred among the homeless, with one-third happening outside regular business hours when cooling centers were closed

🔭 The context: The intersection of extreme heat, high eviction rates, and inadequate cooling infrastructure has exacerbated the crisis
• Temporary funding from federal pandemic relief is being used to operate cooling centers, but long-term solutions remain uncertain

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As climate change intensifies, cities like Phoenix need sustainable strategies to protect vulnerable populations from deadly heat waves, highlighting the broader need for climate resilience planning

⏭️ What's next: Phoenix officials plan to use data and temporary federal funds to open new cooling centers this summer
• However, the city's ability to continue these efforts beyond the pandemic relief period remains in doubt

💬 One quote: "You just try to find some shade and hope it keeps you cool enough to live," said George Roberts, a former homeless resident of Phoenix

📈 One stat: In 2023, Maricopa County saw 645 heat-related deaths, a 1,000% increase over a decade

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