Amid Brutal Heat Wave, Officials Stress Health Risks of Hot Nights – Inside Climate News

Report on the June 2025 Heat Wave in the United States and Its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Heat Wave

In June 2025, much of the United States experienced an unusually severe heat wave, affecting over 150 million people under heat advisories. Originating in the Mountain West, the heat wave expanded to the Midwestern and Eastern regions, where high humidity intensified temperatures exceeding 100°F. The National Weather Service highlighted the rarity of the heat’s intensity and duration, emphasizing the lack of overnight cooling, which poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Health Risks and Climate Change Impact

• Continuous high temperatures, including hot nights, prevent the human body from cooling down, increasing physiological stress.
• Research indicates that climate change is causing more frequent hot nights, adversely affecting sleep quality and overall well-being.
• Populations without access to effective cooling or hydration are at heightened risk, including outdoor workers such as farmers and contractors.

Record-Breaking Temperatures and Infrastructure Effects

The heat wave was driven by a high-pressure system forming a heat dome, breaking daily temperature records nationwide:

1. Mitchell, South Dakota reached 104°F.
2. Minneapolis recorded 96°F.
3. In Missouri, road surfaces buckled under the heat, causing hazardous conditions.

Approximately 10% of the U.S. faced temperatures of 100°F or higher, including major cities like New York and Philadelphia, prompting urgent public health warnings.

Challenges in Cooling and Vulnerable Populations

• Fans are ineffective above 95°F; reliable air conditioning remains the most effective protection against heat stress.
• Millions lack access to air conditioning, exacerbating health risks.
• Cooling centers often close in the evening, limiting options for overnight relief.
• Air conditioning contributes to local heat emissions, potentially increasing nighttime temperatures in urban areas.

Nighttime Heat and Sleep Disruption

Heat retention by atmospheric moisture and urban surfaces causes elevated nighttime temperatures, which:

• Prevent physiological cooling during sleep.
• Increase risks of heat-related illnesses and mortality, especially among the unhoused, elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
• Lead to significant sleep loss, with studies showing 14 minutes less sleep per night when temperatures exceed 86°F, accumulating to 44 hours annually.
• Worsen conditions such as sleep apnea, further impacting health.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The heat wave and its consequences intersect with multiple SDGs, notably:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Addressing heat-related health risks and improving access to cooling solutions are critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Adequate hydration is essential during heat waves to prevent heat stress.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Expanding access to reliable, energy-efficient cooling technologies supports health and reduces environmental impact.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Urban planning must mitigate heat island effects and provide equitable cooling infrastructure.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action – The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves underscore the urgency of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Additional Climate and Environmental News

• Crude Oil Market Volatility: Recent military actions in Iran caused fluctuations in crude oil prices, with implications for global energy markets and SDG 7.
• Plastic Bag Policy Effectiveness: Studies show that regions enforcing plastic bag restrictions experienced up to 47% less shoreline litter, advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Innovations in Firefighting Foam: Development of soybean-based firefighting foam offers a safer alternative to PFAS-containing products, contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Conclusion

The June 2025 heat wave in the United States highlights the critical intersection of climate change impacts and sustainable development. Addressing the health risks associated with extreme heat, improving infrastructure for cooling, and implementing effective environmental policies are essential steps toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing resilience against future climate challenges.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses health risks associated with extreme heat waves, including heat stress, sleep loss, and increased risk of sleep apnea.
   • It highlights vulnerable populations such as older adults, unhoused people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Hydration is mentioned as a crucial factor in coping with heat stress, implying the importance of access to clean water.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Access to reliable air conditioning is emphasized as essential to avoid heat stress, linking to energy availability and affordability.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article addresses urban heat islands, nighttime heat retention due to built environments, and the need for cooling centers.
   • It also mentions the impact of air conditioning on local temperatures.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Discussion of policies restricting plastic bag use and their positive environmental impact.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The core issue of climate change driving more frequent and intense heat waves and hotter nights is central to the article.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Reference to pollution from firefighting foam containing PFAS and the development of bio-based alternatives to protect ecosystems.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
3. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including by improving urban planning and management.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
7. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Heat-related health impacts
   • Number of heat wave-related illnesses and deaths (implied by discussion of heat stress and vulnerable populations).
   • Incidence and prevalence of sleep disorders linked to heat (sleep apnea events, sleep loss duration).
2. Access to cooling and hydration
   • Percentage of population with access to reliable air conditioning.
   • Access to safe drinking water for hydration during heat events.
3. Environmental indicators
   • Frequency and duration of heat waves and high nighttime temperatures (e.g., nights above 77°F or 86°F).
   • Plastic bag litter quantities on shorelines as a measure of waste reduction policies’ effectiveness.
   • Use of PFAS-free firefighting foams as a measure of chemical pollution reduction.
4. Energy indicators
   • Energy consumption related to cooling needs.
   • Availability and affordability of clean energy services.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: insideclimatenews.org