UN 
(SDGTALKING) – Millions of people living in major cities in the northeastern United States faced record temperatures on Tuesday as the extreme heat wave sweeping the country reached its peak. The National Weather Service reported that temperatures exceeded 38 degrees Celsius in Washington and Boston.
Walking became difficult in New York and Boston
The oppressive heat affecting the eastern part of the country has negatively impacted daily life in numerous ways. Thermometers in Central Park reached 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius), marking one of the highest temperatures ever recorded in the region.
In Boston and Washington, D.C., temperatures are expected to reach 101 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 38.3 degrees Celsius). These figures are reported to have surpassed regional records by 6 degrees.
Bob Oravec, the National Weather Service’s lead forecaster, described Tuesday as “likely the worst day for widespread heat records.” Oravec noted that the extreme heat was particularly intense in the northeastern region.
Public transportation slowed down, landmarks closed
The extreme heat also affected transportation. Amtrak, the US national passenger rail company, reduced train speeds on Tuesday afternoon and evening on routes between Washington and New York and between Philadelphia and Harrisburg to prevent damage to the tracks. This measure caused delays.
Some major tourist attractions across the country were also affected by the heat. The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., was closed to visitors on Tuesday and Wednesday due to extreme heat, according to the National Park Service.
Cooling stations and water were provided for construction workers
The hot weather also posed a serious health risk to construction workers working outdoors. More than 2,000 workers at a pharmaceutical factory construction project in Indiana were provided with heavy-duty water bottles and cooling stations by the construction company Fluor. Jeff Wagner, the company’s communications director, said they had taken extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of their employees.
Agriculture under threat in Canada: Drought and extreme heat hit crops
US plains and Canadian farmlands were also adversely affected by extreme heat. A drought that persisted throughout June in Saskatchewan, western Canada, caused serious yield losses in canola, spring wheat, and legume production.
Bill Prybylski, a farmer in the Yorkton region of Saskatchewan, said that the late rains were no longer sufficient. Prybylski noted that the smoky air from forest fires had partially protected crops from direct sunlight, thereby reducing the damage somewhat.
High alert for power grids
Regional power grids are operating at high risk due to increased energy consumption in the eastern half of the country. Grid operators have raised the alert level to meet demand without resorting to rolling blackouts. Heavy energy use, particularly from air conditioning and cooling systems, has led energy companies to urge consumers to “voluntarily conserve” energy.
Sustainability platform takes a break: “Time for a summer break”
Meanwhile, the “Sustainable Change” platform, which focuses on environmental and climate-related content, has announced it will suspend its publications until July 3. The platform stated that it will take a summer break in July and will resume sharing the latest news on environmental, social, and governance issues upon its return.
