The warning emphasizes that these heat waves, intensified by climate change, are impacting millions of people and becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged.
The statement highlights the record-breaking heat waves that occurred across the United States in June, with Puerto Rico experiencing its hottest month in over a century and Texas witnessing its top 19 hottest days ever recorded. Additionally, regions in Michigan, New York, and Vermont shattered their daily temperature records.
The severity of the situation is further underlined by the mention of 12 weather and climate events, each surpassing a billion-dollar impact, that have occurred in the country during the first half of 2023 alone. The mounting economic costs associated with these extreme weather events highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive response from all sectors of society.
The White House statement emphasizes the necessity of collaborative efforts to support affected communities in their planning, preparation, and recovery from these extreme weather events. It calls for an all-of-society response to address the alarming impacts of climate change-induced heat waves and safeguard the well-being of communities across the United States. (ILKHA)