High heat is a destructive force to both the environment and the people who inhabit those areas.
- For instance, massive heatwaves in the pacific northwest last summer resulted in many unexpected deaths.
There are many people in that region who have managed just fine without air conditioning for decades before seeing a huge heat spike up to 115 degrees in the summer of 2021. I heard about poor folks dying in their homes because of the rampant heat. For those who could afford an air conditioner, there was a shortage of equipment almost immediately when the temperatures started to rise for days on end. The family members of mine who live in that area were suffering for weeks until the heatwaves subsided. I was living in Phoenix during the last few years and understand what it’s like to experience temperatures upwards to 110 degrees in the afternoon sun. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised moving to Albuquerque and finding a rather mild climate compared to central Arizona. A lot of people don’t realize that Albuquerque has a rather high elevation, sitting at 5,312 feet above sea level. We live in a desert that is so high in the mountains that our temperatures are mild compared to places in Arizona like Phoenix. Living in 110 degree heat is unbearable in my mind. I love being in Albuquerque and not feeling like I’m getting fried by the sun every minute I’m standing outdoors. And once we get to the winter season, our weather drops down into the 20s at night with daytime weather usually in the low 40s.