Heat wave is a wakeup call

The July 15 editorial,“Extreme heat, such as that Las Vegas is experiencing, is a natural disaster,” says it all. It’s time to categorize extreme heat as a disaster, along with severe storms, flooding and wildfire.

As a physician and disaster responder, I have seen firsthand the benefits that FEMA can bring to stabilize chaos and save lives in communities affected by disaster. Nevada Democratic U.S. Rep. Dina Titus’ Extreme Weather and Heat Modernization Act would allow a FEMA response to the deadly impacts of heat and would aid preparation for increasing numbers of heat emergency days.

Many people are unaware of the full spectrum of heat-related illness. Heat causes heart and lung emergencies, kidney damage, serious risks to pregnant women and babies, and mental health emergencies. Serious heat emergencies can easily overwhelm the local hospital and health system capacity, and Nevada should be able to access federal assistance.

Titus’ bill is one of many congressional actions we need to build a more resilient society in the face of increasing storms, floods, fires, mosquito-borne illnesses and other impacts of the changing climate.

Congress should start by passing more legislation to address the root problem — the need to quickly transition to nonpolluting energy. The gasoline in our tanks and methane for our furnaces are literally fueling these disasters and costing money and lives.

This summer’s early heat wave is another wakeup and call to action on climate change.