129 degrees sounds unbearable – almost impossible – to live through. This insanity was a reality this summer in Death Valley, California. As experienced every summer, heat waves are something that most Californians are familiar with. Caused by warm air being pushed to the ground from the atmosphere, humans feel the presence of the extremely hot temperatures.
Not only does the heat cause discomfort on humans, agriculture is significantly affected by these waves. During heat waves, food supply availability changes. For example, due to the high temperatures, many crops cannot survive the heat and are damaged. The farmers are also affected due to the reduced labor. This ripple effect has an impact on communities’ food supplies and the work life of many.
Another intense threat that comes with heat waves is fires. The dry and scorching conditions often lead to wildfires that damage communities. With the powerful fires, many lose their homes, including humans and animals. Many families are displaced from their place of living and lose many valuables, some, including their lives.
Another way that the intense heat threatens people’s lives is the diseases that rise with the temperatures. Dehydration is a serious threat that comes with heat waves. Athletes are greatly affected by this due to the fact that they are expected to perform in 100 degree weather. Recently, at YLHS, the home football game versus San Jacinto had to be delayed due to the extreme heat.
Madalyn Kientz (11), a Varsity cheerleader who cheered through the heat shares, “It was definitely a challenge but seeing the support form the fans and the players’ energy was a big motivation”.
Another student athlete, Vaughn Sharp (11), also had to endure the heat while playing under the Friday night lights for YLHS football. He shares,
Some tips on how to get through a heat wave is to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun, and limit outside physical activity. Overall, try your best to keep cool to avoid any overheating which can be fatal.
Evidently, heat waves never go unseen and are impactful to many communities including Yorba Linda. labor, athletics, agriculture, and more can all be affected by high temperatures that alter everyday life and leave a lasting impact. As heat waves become more persistent, we must continue enduring the consequences of this trend.
