Some of the cities enjoying population boom are among those gripped by a ferocious heatwave and seeing record temperatures
of heat-related deaths this year. Meanwhile, Fort Worth, Texas, third on the population growth list, has a “red flag” warning in place amid temperatures that have reached 109F this week.
But this growth is now clashing with the reality of the climate emergency, with parts of the sun belt enduring the worst drought in over 1,000 years, record wildfires and punishing heat that is triggering a range of medical conditions, as well as excess deaths. The sprawl of concrete for new housing, mostly within unspooling suburbs rather than contained in dense, walkable neighborhoods, has helped heighten temperatures in many of these growing cities. The spread of hard surfaces has also fueled flash flooding, as Houston found to its cost during the devastating Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
As the US, like the rest of the world, continues to heat up, climate change should become more of a factor when choosing a place to live, with retirees already starting to shun Arizona, traditionally a favored spot for older transplants, according to Keenan.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Star's call has 'alarm bells ringing' for cricketMark Taylor says 'something has to give' after a surprising and sudden retirement decision from Ben Stokes. cricket ENGvSA
Read more »
Albanese's $800 million Covid backtrack shouldn't fill us with hopeAlbanese's move to reinstate the $750 payments at a massive cost to the taxpayer speaks to his inability to say no - something he needs to learn how to do if he wants to be a true leader, writes Caroline Di Russo.
Read more »
US House passes bill to protect right to same-sex and interracial marriageThe measure, partly a political strategy, forced Democrats and Republicans to record their view, and garnered bipartisan support
Read more »
‘If you’re not going to leave him, why do you keep calling us?’Some Queensland police officers have cast judgement on the relationships and integrity of domestic violence victims, an inquiry has heard.
Read more »
The Accidental Ecosystem: behind the rise of urban wildlife in US citiesIn a new book, Peter Alagona examines how wild animals returned to urban habitats, and why coexistence is critical
Read more »
One in five US adults condone ‘justified’ political violence, mega-survey findsAs mistrust and alienation from democratic institutions peaks, researchers explore how willing Americans are to commit violence
Read more »