As another dangerous heat wave blankets much of the U.S., more than 160 million people are now under extreme heat warnings or advisories. Temperatures in the U.K. and France have already broken records, with Europe seen as one of the fastest warming continents on the planet.
Our oceans are also feeling the heat. On June 21—the first day of summer—global sea surface temperatures outside the polar regions exceeded record levels set in 2023 and 2024, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service and the Copernicus Marine Service. While the agencies say this increase was anticipated with El Niño conditions, “this record is expected to have consequences for both weather patterns, global climate and marine ecosystems,” according to a press release jointly issued on July 1.
How do we put these alarming numbers into context? And what can we do to prepare for the months ahead?
For now, the American Red Cross offers these tips and helpful resources on how to prepare before, during and after an extreme heat event.
- Stay hydrated; avoid caffeinated, sugary and alcoholic drinks.
- Gather emergency supplies such as water, medicine and sunscreen.
- Make a plan to stay cool. Spend time in air-conditioned places and wear lightweight, breathable clothing.
- Learn emergency skills, such as first aid and CPR. Recognize the signs of heat illness.
- Stay connected. Check on friends, family and neighbors. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.
While you try to stay cool, you can catch up on some of State of the Planet’s recent reporting on heat waves around the world:
Unexplained Heat Wave ‘Hotspots’ Are Popping Up Across the Globe: Distinct regions of the world are seeing repeated heat waves so extreme, they cannot be explained by climate models.
High Heat Is Preferentially Killing the Young, Not the Old, New Research Finds: A study on mortality in Mexico found that young adults and small children are the main victims of extreme heat.
Viewpoint: How Do We Fix the Hellish Heat of the New York City Subway System? It’s time to treat subway heat like the climate adaptation issue and public health hazard that it is, according to M.A. in Climate and Society alum Jonathan Ung.
Huge Areas May Face Possibly Fatal Heat Waves if Warming Continues: As temperatures continue to rise, even healthy young adults may not be able to survive without access to artificial cooling.
Climate School Alumni Aim for Sustainability Goals in the 2026 World Cup and Beyond: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup plays out in North America, M.A. in Climate and Society graduates are working behind the scenes to drive sustainability efforts and consider climate impacts on sporting events.
Columbia Climate School in the Media:
You can also hear from Climate School experts in media reports about this year’s extraordinarily high temperatures:
Heat Wave Spreads East on Wednesday, Putting Millions More at Risk
The New York Times | July 1, 2026
Ahead of the July 4 weekend, more than 160 million people are under extreme heat warnings or heat advisories. Columbia Climate School professor Radley Horton says this particular heat wave has been characterized by especially high humidity. “When the amount of moisture in the air is particularly high, it tends to make nights that much warmer. Temperatures don’t change as much between daytime and nighttime.”
Climate expert shares extreme heat tips ahead of this weekend’s World Cup games ny1.com
Spectrum News | June 26, 2026
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 in full swing in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., Columbia Climate School’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness expert Joshua L. DeVincenzo spoke with Spectrum News NY1’s The Rush Hour to share tips on heat safety and the health of fans and players.
South Carolina ranks in top 10 for states with the highest summer cooling cost burden
Yahoo News | June 26, 2026
Aging infrastructure is the top reason that some Americans are seeing electricity costs increase substantially, says Alexis Abramson, Columbia Climate School Dean and sustainable energy technology expert. “In an effort to keep electricity prices low for consumers, maintenance of and upgrades to our electricity grid have long been deferred. The country needs new transmission lines and significant upgrades to its distribution system. …Utilities are passing those modernization expenses directly to ratepayers,” says Abramson.
As Europe Bakes, Heatwaves Are Already Biting Into Paychecks
Bloomberg | June 26, 2026
Extreme heat and drought have cut average household incomes across Europe, putting millions at risk of poverty, finds a new study. This report adds to the growing body of research attempting to quantify the cost of climate change. Climate economist Gernot Wagner of Columbia Business School says that advances in economic research coupled with climate change’s rapid acceleration now make it easier to pinpoint these costs. “The compounding effects over time are big enough that they do already show up in economic statistics. We are already poorer because of climate change,” says Wagner.
Europeans endure brutal heat wave, climate researchers say infrastructure may “have to adapt”
CBS NEWS | June 25, 2026
Europe is the fastest-warming continent on Earth, data shows. In the United Kingdom and France, the current heat wave is breaking records. Columbia University professor Radley M. Horton joined CBS Morning News to discuss the challenges surrounding climate change in Europe.
Paris records its hottest June day as Europe battles heatwave
TRT World Now | June 24, 2026
As Europe battles extreme heat, with Paris recording its hottest June day on record, Columbia Climate School professor and National Center for Disaster Preparedness faculty director Jeff Schlegelmilch joined TRT World to discuss short- and longer-term preparedness to mitigate the health and economic impacts.
