A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that Americans are increasingly feeling the effects of extreme heat in their daily lives. Elisa Bracamonte, a 74-year-old retired nurse from Tucson, Arizona, has noticed a significant change in the weather, with temperatures rising by at least 10 degrees over the past few years.
Impact on Daily Life
The poll showed that many Americans are adjusting their schedules and outdoor activities to cope with the extreme heat. About 8 in 10 Americans reported that their electricity bills have been impacted by the heat, with 44% of those in the Midwest saying the impact has been major. Additionally, 4 in 10 Americans said the heat has affected their travel or vacation plans, while 7 in 10 reported an impact on their family’s outdoor activities.
Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to the increasing extreme heat, with scientists warning of more frequent and intense heat waves in the future. Despite this, the poll found that only about two-thirds of Americans believe in climate change, a slight decline from previous years.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
