“Study Shows Climate Change Will Increase Risk of Heat-Related Illness at Grand Canyon National Park”
Climate change-fueled extreme heat is posing a significant risk of heat-related illness for the millions of people who visit Grand Canyon National Park each year, according to a new study by the National Park Service. The study, which analyzed data from 2004 to 2009 and used climate models to predict future scenarios, found that the rate of heat illness per 100,000 visitors is expected to increase by up to 137% by 2100 under the highest emission scenario.
Danielle Buttke, a National Park Service epidemiologist and one of the study’s authors, emphasized the importance of taking action to mitigate the impact of climate change on human health. She stated that every degree of warming and every amount of emitted carbon matters, and that advocating for climate action can save human lives.
The study also highlighted the growing health risk posed by more frequent, intense, and long-lasting heat waves. National parks, including the Grand Canyon, have already warmed twice as fast as the rest of the US due to human-caused climate change.
Heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can lead to hospitalization and even death. The study noted that heat is suspected to have caused the deaths of 16 people at Grand Canyon National Park since 2007, more than any other national park.
Buttke warned that the study’s projections could be underestimated, as current warming and emissions closely track the worst-case scenario. She also highlighted the importance of behavioral adaptations, such as wearing proper clothing and staying hydrated, in reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
As climate change continues to drive extreme heat events, parks and individuals will need to prepare for the volatility and unpredictability of the changing climate. Buttke emphasized the need to adapt to the new climate reality and take proactive measures to protect human health in the face of rising temperatures.