Here’s the weather…Hot with Sticky Situations

Saturday, July 6, 2024.

As global temperatures rise, there's mounting evidence that people act more impulsively and aggressively in hot weather.

Rising temperatures at home and on the streets can lead to increased verbal aggression and quicker tempers. This trend isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a serious issue with far-reaching implications.

How The Study Was Conducted

A study tracking nearly 400 Chicago residents from May to September 2022 found that people were most impulsive indoors when temperatures reached 100°F (37°C) in mid-June. These findings might explain the uptick in domestic violence, hospital admissions for overdoses, and suicide attempts during hot weather. The results of this study highlight the profound effect that heat has on human behavior and mental health.

Heat and Impulsivity

Dr. Kimberly Meidenbauer, the study’s lead author, commented:

“The idea here is that if you are more impulsive, you might be more likely to engage in risky behaviors including substance abuse and self-harm. Even after the heat dissipates, the impulsiveness seems to stick around for a while, which is kind of crazy.”

Summer Rage: How Heat Affects the Brain

Heat impacts the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for planning, emotions, and self-control. Dr. Meidenbauer explained:

“Some studies show that, with heat exposure, the prefrontal cortex’s connectivity with other important brain regions gets disrupted. Other studies suggest that when your body is thermoregulating, it takes up resources, which could be cognitively taxing.”

Global Conflict: the broader implications of sticky situations

Climate Change and Social Unrest

The impact of rising temperatures isn't confined to individual behavior. On a global scale, extreme heat can exacerbate social unrest and conflict. Climate change is increasingly recognized as a 'threat multiplier' that can worsen existing social, economic, and political tensions.

Historical Context

Historically, there are numerous examples of how extreme weather has contributed to conflict. For instance, droughts and food shortages have been linked to uprisings and wars. The Syrian civil war, partly attributed to prolonged drought and crop failures, is a recent example of how environmental stressors can ignite and exacerbate conflicts.

Economic Strain

Economic factors also play a crucial role. Heatwaves can strain economies by reducing labor productivity, increasing healthcare costs, and damaging infrastructure. This economic strain can lead to heightened tensions and conflicts, especially in regions where resources are already scarce.

Migration and Refugee Crises

Rising temperatures and extreme weather events can force people to migrate, leading to refugee crises. These migrations can create pressure on host countries and lead to xenophobia, social unrest, and even violence. The displacement of populations due to climate change is a growing concern that requires global cooperation and humanitarian response.

Cooling Down: Solutions and Mitigating Factors

Infrastructure and Urban Planning

Air conditioning and natural shade from trees naturally relieve people's poor moods. The more trees and natural surroundings, the lower the aggression levels. Dr. Meidenbauer emphasized the importance of infrastructure designed to cool things down:

“Going forward, we need to focus on infrastructure that can cool things down. That includes buildings designed with passive cooling systems and urban green spaces that reduce the heat island effect.”

Urban Heat Island Effect

The 'urban heat island effect' refers to cities being hotter than neighboring rural areas, especially at night and when winds are light. Mitigating this effect through urban planning can significantly reduce the adverse impacts of heat on human behavior.

Access to Air Conditioning

Not everyone can afford air conditioning, Dr. Meidenbauer noted:

“The biggest mitigating factor for heat was whether survey respondents had access to air conditioning in their homes and whether they could afford to run it.”

Policy and International Cooperation

Addressing the broader implications of heat-induced impulsivity and aggression requires coordinated policy efforts and international cooperation. Investing in sustainable infrastructure, promoting green spaces, and ensuring access to cooling technologies are essential steps.

Final thoughts

Understanding the connection between scorching temperatures and impulsive behavior is crucial for addressing the associated risks on both individual and global scales. Investing in cooling infrastructure, increasing green spaces, and fostering international cooperation can help mitigate the adverse effects of heat on human behavior and reduce the potential for conflict and unrest.

It’s probably a bit too late to address these issues proactively. Societies are in no way prepared for the challenges posed by a warming world seething with rage and hate. Our world is teeming with sticky situations in diverse parts of the world.

I fear It’s going to be a long, hot summer… with sharks.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

The study was published in PsyarXiv (Meidenbauer et al., 2024). Kudos again to Dr. Jeremy Dean and his team at PSYBLOG.