Long-Term Health Risks as Extreme Heat Becomes New Normal
Ask students: What are the health risks from a heat wave? Where is the heat wave occurring?
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
Extreme heat is becoming a dangerous new normal that brings with it a number of health risks. From severe burns to accelerated aging, the effects of long periods of high temperatures on the human body are getting more attention in this time of rising climate change. Stephanie Sy reports from Phoenix, the epicenter of extreme heat in the United States, for our series, Tipping Point.
Discussion Questions
- What are the health risks from a heat wave?
- Where is the heat wave occurring?
- Who is Robert Woolley, and what happened to him?
- How are people protecting themselves from the heat?
- When did the heatwave begin?
Focus Questions
- What would you do in this situation to protect yourself from the heat?
- What can you do to avoid the heat and prevent sunburns?
- Media literacy: If you could interview someone about the topic of heatwaves, who would you choose?
Extension Activity
Read this article (2023) about heatwaves and compare and contrast the heatwave in Europe to the heatwave in America.
- In which region are temperatures higher?
- What are citizens in each place doing to protect themselves?
Next, take a look at this lesson on inventing solutions to extreme heat situations.
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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