This story was first published by Vox and is being reprinted here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
As we’ve already seen this summer, extreme heat is becoming more prevalent and is projected to worsen in the coming years. With rising temperatures, more people are at risk for serious health issues such as heat stroke, cardiovascular problems, and respiratory ailments. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with preexisting conditions like heart disease or diabetes, are particularly susceptible.
In Texas, where temperatures can reach some of the highest levels in the country, over 330 people died in 2023 due to extreme heat, setting a new record. More recently, millions of people in cities like Houston experienced a massive heatwave while grappling with power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. Despite the increasing toll, there is a surprising lack of regulations aimed at protecting people from the impacts of extreme heat, unlike the stringent policies surrounding extreme cold.
As heat waves become more dangerous, the disparity between regulations for extreme heat and extreme cold is likely to narrow. For instance, few states require landlords to provide air conditioning for tenants, unlike the mandates for heating during winter. The absence of a comprehensive state-by-state cooling policy resource illustrates the inadequate regulations in place for heat exposure.
Policy makers are lagging behind climate change, facing opposition from landlord groups, and grappling with the high costs associated with addressing the issue. The need for adequate cooling is becoming more urgent as heat waves become stronger, longer, and more frequent. Air conditioning is transitioning from a luxury to a necessity, and the lack of it in homes could prove fatal.
There are significant gaps in cooling policies, which vary from state to state and city to city. There is no federal regulation governing these policies, and many states lack adequate measures. While some cities like Dallas have ordinances requiring landlords to provide air conditioning, Texas lacks statewide protections. “There’s no baseline right to air conditioning or anything like that at the federal level,” says David Konisky, co-director of the Energy Justice Lab at Indiana University.
As heat waves become more common and hazardous, the impact of these gaps will become more apparent. Low-income tenants are particularly vulnerable, as they are less likely to afford their own cooling systems. Black Americans are also disproportionately affected by extreme heat. According to a 2020 study, counties with large African American populations are exposed to extreme temperatures more frequently than those with smaller African American populations.
To address this issue, experts suggest implementing regulations that treat cooling systems as a necessity and allocating more funding to cover associated costs. Some cities have passed ordinances mandating air conditioning for tenants, while states like Oregon have adopted comprehensive laws that allow renters to install air conditioning and provide emergency funds to assist low-income tenants.
Overall, strengthening requirements for air conditioning and other cooling systems and ensuring that policies account for associated costs are crucial steps in protecting vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme heat.
