Las Vegas Faces Escalating Heat Crisis

Summary:
Las Vegas recently set a new all-time high temperature record of 120 degrees on July 7, surpassing previous records by three degrees. This extreme heat, exacerbated by human-caused climate change, is expected to become more frequent and severe, posing significant health risks. Dr. Joanne Leovy, a retired physician, highlights the increasing heat-related health issues, which led her to establish Nevada Clinicians for Climate Action.
In 2023, Clark County recorded 307 heat-related deaths, marking it as the deadliest year for heat in the U.S. Authors and scientists emphasize the need for cities like Las Vegas to adapt by designing heat-resistant neighborhoods and making cooling resources more accessible, especially for vulnerable populations such as outdoor workers and the homeless.
Governor Joe Lombardo’s approach to climate policy has been criticized; he withdrew Nevada from the U.S. Climate Alliance and scrapped a carbon emissions reduction plan, although he acknowledges climate change. The Desert Research Institute’s Southern Nevada Heat Resilience Lab is working on long-term solutions, such as opening cooling centers and coordinating responses to extreme heat events. Experts believe that Nevada can become a leader in mitigating extreme heat, similar to its efforts in water conservation.