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Phoenix, Arizona is one of the hottest urban centers in the United States. Over the past two years, more than 300 Americans have died from heat-related causes.
The city of Phoenix has joined a number of other growing cities that are trying to find ways to cope with high temperatures as a result of climate change.
Employees and volunteers gather twice a day to distribute supplies of water and refreshments to residents of Phoenix, Arizona, where daily temperatures reach 43 degrees Celsius.
“The temperatures vary from 45 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees. It’s very hot,” says Emilio Rodriguez, a resident of the city of Phoenix.
A year ago, the city created a special unit to deal with the situation created by high temperatures, which is headed by scientist and climate expert David Hondula.
“Nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures. The summer season has been extended. We are lucky because we have not reached the record temperature recorded in 1990”.
That year the temperature reached 50 degrees Celsius. The scorching heat could be deadly for that city’s more than 5,000 homeless.
Some shelter in cars. Others set up tents in parks or on sidewalks, from where they have to leave three times a week during municipal cleanings.
City employees, like Mia Sanford, offer help finding housing.
“They can call me, send me an email, or text me so that I can help them,” Mia Stanford, a city social services worker, told VOA.
But the rent is rising as fast as the temperature and there is not enough housing for the poor.
Bookstores, businesses and sports facilities are being used as temporary centers where people can hang out in air-conditioning and get free refreshments.
A protective layer has been put on some roads after the asphalt has melted from the heat. The city has planted thousands of trees, not enough, to block the strong rays of the sun.
David Hondula, who leads the city’s efforts to combat climate change, tells VOA that the spotlight is on at-risk low-income additions.
“We are trying to draw attention to the need for housing for the poor and shelters, because these investments would help the poor avoid diseases related to high temperatures.”
Miami, Athens, Freetown in Sierra Leone and the city of Los Angeles are among other cities that have set up special units to deal with the situation created by the high temperatures.
A very difficult challenge for many cities around the world to help the needy./VOA
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