Academic Writings: Persuasive Essay (2022)

Arizona Heat Climate

As a better solution for my generation, we need to make water much more accessible and provide more cooling sites for all of us, including the homeless; another great solution would be to improve the bus system. Additionally, in Arizona, the 'law' that neighbors are required to distribute water to those who ask is a myth; perhaps a rule like this should be established. Let’s discuss the issue of heat and the steps we've done, and potentially reevaluate our community's resources in the face of extreme summer heat.

Heat has risen to a point in the Arizona-California area, that records have been broken; average temperatures in these areas in 2021 has stayed in the 110s, while highest temperatures hit almost 120°. Phoenix recorded a new average temperature record, as well. "Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies," cities with large urban area are subject to ‘Urban Heat Island Effect.’ (“Learn About Heat Islands | US EPA”)” (Munson, 2021) In the smaller cities such as my hometown, I’ve seen very little cool off areas or clean water, other than inside shops and the water vending machines. There are a total of four cooling centers, and three water sites in my hometown of Yuma, all of which I didn’t know or haven’t seen. I also know of only two purified water gallon fill stations in town, which is where my family gets out clean water, due to the polluted tap water. Most shops have a ‘no loitering’ sign, making it so anyone who wishes to stop in for some cool air is required to buy something. In states where heat can be life or death, why implement a rule like this? Our homeless are forced to sit outside lots hoping for shade, often not having the funds to buy from the stores they cool off near. “Examining heat-related deaths that occurred indoors, Solís found that in 16% of those deaths, officials determined the victims had no air conditioning.” (AZCentral, 2021) These aren’t the only demographics affected by the rising heat. With the heat, bills for electricity and water rise exponentially, affecting everyone! “In Arizona, a quarter of the energy consumed by homes goes towards running an air conditioning unit … increasingly expensive for households with more extreme heat days.” (EDF, 2020) Plus, there has been a growing scarcity of usable water in Arizona in the past few decades, making it a less accessible resource because the majority is given to farming and high paying businesses. Even with farms being priority, the scarcity is still affecting crops, causing farm businesses and individuals to suffer loss. This would inevitably affect the job force, and crucial community services like schools and public safety. As children, we were taught the lie that if we were suffering from heat illness or dehydration while walking through neighborhoods, we could ask a neighbor for water and their require to oblige; this is not the case but imagine if everyone followed a rule like this. Heat is legitimately the #1 cause of many of Arizona’s problems: death, hospitalization, poverty, wildfires, and loss of income (usually due to crops). Moreover, we’ve been dealing with these issues for as long as desert towns have existed, so how have we not come to better solutions for the rising mortality rate due to heat?

Many minor steps have been taken to alleviate the suffering caused by the heat, but more action is required. In Arizona, there are numerous water vending machines that are all immediately visible, making them the first place many people visit when they are dehydrated. I know of several, but they required both money and often a container for filling. Many people don’t realize there are free resources for hydration in Arizonan cities. There are precisely three free water centers in my county, and four cooling centers nearby; both of which provide clean drinkable water for free. I wasn’t even aware that these existed beforehand or that free water was offered; this information is critical and should have been widely known. This may not seem like a huge deal to us working class, but for those who are poor or homeless; they may have to choose clean water over a full meal depending on the area. Also, could you imagine that, while suffering from heat sickness, you have neither? I’m one of many who has run out of water while having to walk in the summertime. “In 2019, a total of 106 cooling centers were open during the summer in Maricopa County…Last year, the number of cooling centers with their doors open shrank to 19.” (AZCentral, 2021) The amount of resources for Arizonan people is gradually reducing, and it doesn’t have to be blistering heat for people to die from heat sickness. Average middle-class people have no idea of the suffering caused by heat, because they’ve always had a cool house with clean water, and a transportation system. Growing up, our car didn’t have an air conditioner, and we had to live in a mobile home pretty often- which is a lot of people’s experience in my hometown. Since Arizona is a desert state, we should have better resources for keeping cool, whether in a small town or large because all are concerned.

There are a range of things I have thought we could implement in Arizonan cities. For instance, information about Heat Relief Networks should be commonplace. Heat Relief Networks are in place in Maricopa, Pima County and Yuma County. But you can look up ‘heat relief network collection maps,’ in your states to find opportunities to contribute to your community wellbeing. These heat relief networks provide maps of free air-conditioned spaces to get out of the heat, free water, and places to donate water. Many people around me, including myself, weren’t aware of these. If possible, opening more of these sites across Arizona, regardless of how many, would be beneficial as well. Additionally, air conditioning units and/or fans in Arizona should be seen as a necessity and not a luxury, there are many cheap/low rent apartments and complexes that do not offer either. Many of the lower-class citizens in Arizona don’t even have the option to apply for LIHEAP, because the cheapest homes don’t qualify as homes in the eyes of the government. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, and more. For example, being forced to live in a trailer, cooking in the summer weather without access to clean water and air conditioning. Another solution would be to prioritize the sanitation of our local natural water sources, making them more drinkable, in a way that helps the environment. A great organization that you could check is the Arizona Water for People, a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to providing sustainable drinking water in Arizona. If nothing else, the best way to help stifle the effects of heat is to spread the information about the cooling centers and donating water to them whenever possible! Every heat related illness is preventable, and we can do our part by checking on our community members during the hotter months, especially with the rise in average temperatures in Arizona. You also can help prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths offering to drive people to an air-conditioned location.

In short, Arizona is one of our hottest states with temperatures rising annually, and our community could do much more to prevent heat suffering. To help our homeless and poor we can spread information on Heat Relief Networks and do our part supporting them with our donations or other contributions. Everyone would benefit from being aware of these resources, whether due to a need to spread it to the less fortunate or to keep themselves safe from heat related hospitalization. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat illness or dehydration, remember: water, rest, and shade. Volunteering for non-profits dedicated to keeping water drinkable and usable is also a great solution. We as Arizonans can volunteer to help with the sanitation of our natural waters to keep the drought at bay. Someone close to us may be the next to end up dying, therefore we should stop pretending as if the heat won't affect us. The only way to address this problem is to take bolder steps, even if it means only expanding the number of what is presently available.

References

“AZDHS: Epidemiology & Disease Control - Heat Safety.” Arizona Department of Health Services, https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/heat-safety/index.php#heat-home.

“Climate Costs Will Strain Arizonans' Health and Economy.” Environmental Defense Fund, 1 Dec. 2020, https://www.edf.org/climate/costofinaction/arizona.

“Heat Reports.” Heat Reports | Maricopa County, AZ, https://www.maricopa.gov/1858/Heat-Surveillance.

James, Ian. “Heat Killed a Record Number of People in Arizona Last Year, 'a Staggering Increase'.” The Arizona Republic, Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2021, https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2021/01/31/heat-killed-record-number-people-arizona-last-year/4294654001/.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). (n.d.). Benefits.Gov. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/623

National Weather Service. (2021). 2021 Climate Year in Review for Phoenix, Yuma, and El Centro. Weather.Gov. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.weather.gov/psr/yearinreview2021

Olivia Munson, The Arizona Republic. (2021, July 1). June 2021 breaks record for hottest June on record in Phoenix, and the trend could continue. Arizona Republic. https://eu.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-weather/2021/07/01/june-2021-breaks-record-hottest-june-record-phoenix/7829100002/

Volunteer Match. (n.d.). Arizona Water for People Volunteer Opportunities - VolunteerMatch. Www.Volunteermatch.Org. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org83263.jsp