--:-- Shamitha: Hey there, it's Shamitha here. On this week's episode of Apple News in Conversation, we're talking about the dangers of extreme heat for our health and for our planet.
--:-- Shamitha: This summer has been hot, in many places scarily so. Heat records are being broken just about every day. Planet Earth is on fire. The record heat across the world has been unrelenting.
--:-- Shamitha: It is the kind of heat that you feel as soon as you step outside. When you open the door, that's what it feels like. We're talking about a deadly heat wave that is feeling more like a heat tsunami in the south. Virginia Key, Florida. Galveston, Texas. California and Arizona.
--:-- Shamitha: The extreme weather is not just impacting the US, parts of Europe. Greece, Spain, France. Northwest India. The Iraqi capital is broiling in 116 degree heat.
--:-- Shamitha: But extreme heat isn't just in the air. About 40% of our global oceans are currently experiencing a marine heat wave. Unprecedented water temperatures.
--:-- Shamitha: So what happens when we keep adding the heat? Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea. Collapsed under the scorching sun. Second and third degree burns. Falling or passing out.
--:-- Shamitha: A woman has died because of heat issues. A mountain biker died trying to help heat hikers. Extreme heat has a cascading effect.
--:-- Shamitha: In the U.S., we've seen poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires, catastrophic flooding in the Northeast, and an ongoing water crisis in the West. It all serves as an unavoidable reminder of how climate change is reshaping our planet and our lives.
--:-- Shamitha: In a new book called The Heat Will Kill You First, journalist Jeff Goodell lays out how heat itself is at the root of our climate crisis. It's the force pushing us into what he says is a new climate era.
--:-- Shamitha: But as Jeff himself will tell you, he doesn't feel defeated or pessimistic about the future. He actually says there's a lot of reason for hope.
--:-- Shamitha: To hear my full interview with Jeff Goodell, check out Apple News In Conversation in the podcast app.
--:-- Shamitha: [pause] Jeff Goodell is the author of The Heat Will Kill You First. Welcome to the show, Jeff.
--:-- Jeff Goodell: Thanks for having me on the show, Shamitha.
--:-- Shamitha: So, let's dive into your book. You make a compelling case that heat is at the root of our climate crisis. Can you explain that to us?
--:-- Jeff Goodell: Sure. The heat itself is what's driving the climate crisis. It's not just about carbon emissions or pollution. It's about the way heat is changing our planet and our lives.
--:-- Shamitha: That's a really important point. Can you tell us more about the impact of heat on our health?
--:-- Jeff Goodell: Well, heat is a silent killer. It's not just about the heat itself, but also about the way it exacerbates other health problems. For example, people with pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes are much more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
--:-- Shamitha: That's really scary. What can we do to mitigate the effects of heat?
--:-- Jeff Goodell: There are a lot of things we can do. One of the most important things is to reduce our carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. We also need to invest in heat-resilient infrastructure and develop new technologies that can help us adapt to a changing climate.
--:-- Shamitha: That's really hopeful. I know you're not a pessimist, Jeff. Can you tell us why you're still optimistic about the future?
--:-- Jeff Goodell: Yeah, I am. I think we have a lot of reason to be hopeful. We're seeing a lot of innovation and progress in the field of renewable energy, and we're also seeing a growing awareness of the importance of addressing climate change. I think if we work together, we can make a real difference.
--:-- Shamitha: That's really inspiring, Jeff. Thanks for sharing your insights with us today.
--:-- Jeff Goodell: Thanks, Shamitha. It was a pleasure.
