Central New Yorkers are going through yet another heat wave which could challenge high temperature records. Jennifer Brady, Senior data analyst and research manager at Climate Central, spoke to us for our Deeper Shade of Green podcast on weather extremes and what data tells us about their causes.
Some families have been using splash pads and pools at local parks to stay cool. Others will crank the air conditioning. Brady studies data to explain weather extremes and how they affect people. Data tells her it’s not just heat waves.
“On weeks like this we’re all thinking of maximum temperatures, 100 degrees, 95 degrees. But another thing is we see it in overnight lows. It’s not getting as cold at night. But we don’t’ often recognize that because we’re asleep. (In addition) The winter is getting a lot warmer. The winter is getting warmer fast than the summer is,” Brady said.
She added we’re setting record highs, at record levels, but not any record lows. Without climate change, those should balance out. Brady said she finds a clear link between human-caused climate change and the rising heat. Further, she said there’s a strong link heavy rain events and increased hurricanes. Information on ice melt and the warming of the oceans is also concerning her and her colleagues.
“The ocean has been doing a lot of the work to save our land temperatures. The ocean has been absorbing a lot of the heat. Once that is saturated and permeated, we can’t count on the oceans (to trap heat). And the oceans are feeling the impacts … reef die-offs, animals are migrating to different temperatures, but it’s also impacting the intensification of hurricanes,” added Brady.
Impacts of Trump Administration Cuts
Climate Central uses government data, which due to recent cutbacks in personnel and budget at places like the E-P-A and NOAA might be drying up.
“Data collection (and) consistency of science is important, and so if all of a sudden we’re missing 5 years of data, 10 years from now, when we look back, that’s going to make a difference in how we analyze that information.”
As for effects of extreme heat, Brady notes the most vulnerable are the most affected. Many don’t have air conditioning at home, or they have jobs working outside. And she pointed out, of all weather extremes, heat is the biggest killer of people.
Data Scientist Maintains Optimism
Brady said she remains optimistic, due in part to her role helping people make a difference.
“(I) try to help people talk about it. Always voting; voting is a big solution. I tell people little things they can do in their daily life. … I have such awe and respect for science and the things we can understand. It’s mazing to me that we can understand these systems and the reasons (for changing weather). I’m excited to see that go forward as we understand more and more about why things happen.”
