🤰 Climate Change Could Make Pregnancy Riskier

🤰 Climate Change Could Make Pregnancy Riskier

As human-induced climate change continues to warm the planet, pregnancy risks are increasing. A study by Climate Central analyzed daily temperature data from 2020 to 2024 in 940 cities across 247 countries and territories. The researchers looked at “extreme heat days”, which are defined as having maximum temperatures warmer than 95% of temperatures observed. The study coined these days as “pregnancy heat-risk days”. Nearly 1/3 of the countries surveyed experienced at least one additional month of pregnancy heat-risk days on average. For most of those countries, the risk days doubled. Even a single day of extreme heat can raise the risk of serious pregnancy complications, including an increased risk of preterm birth and threats to maternal health. Extreme heat is now one of the most pressing threats to pregnant people worldwide, especially in places already struggling with limited access to healthcare.

Climate Central

😴 Ways Climate Change is Disrupting Our Daily Lives

When most people think of climate change threats, they think of flooding, heatwaves, and hurricanes. However, climate change is disrupting our day-to-day life in many ways, even though they don’t necessarily make the news. Here are a few examples: Climate change is driving up the cost of food, and everything else for that matter, because hotter temperatures contribute to price inflation. Air conditioning is becoming more common and expensive. We’re sleeping less because of rising temperatures. Climate change is boosting air pollution and making it more harmful. Allergies are getting worse. Travel is taking longer.

James Dinneen, NewScientists

🧑‍🌾 Vertical Farms Emerge as Solution to Multiple Problems

Vertical farms have emerged as a potential solution to problems such as food insecurity, climate change, and urban renewal. One farm in Mesa, Arizona features 9 foot towers of vegetables that can grow 10 times the food with using 90-98% less water, even when outside temperatures reach 115F. In one month, the vertical farm produces 15,000 pounds of leafy greens. In Houston, vertical farms have begun to occupy vacant office buildings, which have surpassed 20% in 2024. Vertical farming can be more sustainable than traditional farming in regards to reduced carbon emissions, water usage, pesticide use, and higher water savings. The downfall is that they are energy intensive due to the use of grow lights and heating and cooling systems.

Samuel Gilbert, The Washington Post