In late July, North Philadelphia resident Blanca Maldonado, 84, lay on her couch, struggling to grasp the reality of an intense heat wave that blanketed the city.
With temperatures soaring close to triple digits—11 degrees above the seasonal norm—Maldonado awoke two hours later, drenched in sweat and disoriented.
“I was soaking wet and I didn’t even know what time it was,” the recent retiree recounted, reflecting on her experience during a day marked by extreme heat, likely exacerbated by climate change, according to Climate Central’s CSI forensics tool.
Maldonado has lived in her Kensington home for over thirty years but opted not to replace her broken air conditioning unit, choosing instead to save money.
She expressed concern about losing track of time in such oppressive heat, suggesting that she could have possibly passed out from heat exhaustion.
Earlier in June, Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health declared a heat health emergency after five heat-related deaths were reported.
The emergency lasted for three days, during which average round-the-clock temperatures reached 88 degrees—an abnormal spike made four times more probable by climate change.
“This year has been the worst in my life. I never experienced heat like this before,” said Maldonado, who noted things were more manageable when she was younger.
As climate change accelerates, seniors like Maldonado face increasing risks from extreme heat.
Philadelphians are experiencing higher temperatures, extended summers, and an uptick in extreme heat days.
According to NOAA, last year marked the hottest on record, with the hottest decade since 1850 occurring within the last ten years alone.
The EPA’s recent report indicates that Philadelphia residents now endure an additional four to six heat waves annually compared to six decades ago.
“Heat waves are natural, but the drastic increase in their frequency, intensity, and duration is a stark result of climate change,” noted Adam Ortiz, former EPA administrator for the mid-Atlantic region.
Extreme heat poses a significant threat to the elderly, with high temperatures being the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S.
The EPA and the National Weather Service report that extreme heat can trigger dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, with symptoms including headache, dizziness, nausea, and even fainting.
Research indicates that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can heighten health risks, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income individuals.
“The most crucial thing we can do… is to stay hydrated and seek air conditioning,” suggested Leah Schinasi, an environmental and occupational epidemiologist.
However, recognizing extreme heat can be challenging for those with cognitive impairments or disabilities, limiting their response to such conditions.
During heat waves, the city promotes awareness to neighbors, especially targeting elderly residents.
“There’s the classic image of grandmom sitting there with a blanket on her and a sweater while everybody else is dying of heat,” pointed out Philadelphia Department of Public Health spokesman James Garrow.
He explained that while younger people might instinctively react to the heat, older residents may not receive clear signals from their bodies.
Maldonado does feel the effects of heat, often fearing she might faint, and relies on cold showers or trips to air-conditioned shopping centers to cope.
“I was taking a shower at 1 o’clock in the morning because it was awful that night,” she recalled, underscoring the extent of her discomfort during the heat wave.
While discussions around extreme heat often focus on the scorching daytime temperatures, research shows that elevated overnight temperatures can also have dire health consequences for those without air conditioning.
Ashley Ward, who heads the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University, stated that cooler evenings offer necessary relief, but temperatures above 75 degrees complicate recovery from daytime heat stress.
Maldonado lives in a part of Philadelphia where urban design contributes to higher temperatures, known as urban heat islands.
These areas, predominately inhabited by people of color and low-income families, experience temperatures that are, on average, 9 degrees Fahrenheit warmer due to inadequate green spaces and trees.
A 2024 Climate Central analysis revealed that over half a million residents endure such conditions in Philadelphia.
“Heat exposures are not distributed evenly,” Schinasi added, highlighting how certain neighborhoods, like Maldonado’s, often consist of tightly packed brick homes that amplify heat.
The residents in these areas tend to suffer from chronic health issues that make them more vulnerable to heat, such as diabetes and hypertension.
The city of Philadelphia has developed a heat vulnerability index to assess these disparities, pinpointing areas with limited tree cover and gardens that experience heightened potential for heat-related illness.
Garrow stated that this mapping informs city decisions about where to position cooling centers and public pools, ensuring that resources focus on the most heat-impacted neighborhoods.
Maldonado’s neighborhood ranks high on this vulnerability index.
Despite her challenges, she remains determined. “It’s not easy, but I’m a strong person… sometimes I feel very weak. Two days ago, I started shaking… but it was just the heat,” she said.
Struggling with bills and energy costs, Maldonado has found herself occasionally unable to pay for electricity, leading to service interruptions until her daughter stepped in to assist.
Her experience reflects a broader issue, as rising energy prices—exacerbated by an increase in electricity demand—leave low-income residents facing tougher choices.
The Pennsylvania Utility Law Project reported a 38 percent leap in electric shutoffs this June compared to last year.
Amid these rising prices, the need for cooling in homes is increasing.
A Climate Central analysis suggests that the demand for cooling has surged by roughly 25 percent since 1970.
While the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps alleviate heating costs in winter, it offers no similar support for summer cooling, leaving vulnerable residents in a perilous situation.
The state has attempted to address this by utilizing LIHEAP funds to buy window units or repair central air systems for some residents, but these measures have fallen short this year due to limited resources and overwhelming demand.
As both the need for cooling resources and energy costs rise, community advocates are voicing concerns about increasing “energy poverty.”
Schinasi emphasized that relying on air conditioning is not a sustainable approach to addressing climate change.
To effectively combat extreme heat, solutions must build long-term resilience.
She highlighted technologies like converting dark roofs into cooler surfaces, but acknowledged such modifications may not significantly impact individual homes.
Implementing practical steps such as drawing shades during the day and enhancing vegetation in the hottest areas should be prioritized, she suggested.
Philadelphia does have initiatives focused on planting trees and installing “cool roofs.”
During heat health emergencies, the city also provides longer hours for libraries serving as cooling centers and operates a dedicated helpline for older adults.
Nolan Lawrence, helpline director for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, noted that they regularly receive hundreds of calls during heat emergencies, sometimes offering direct nurse interventions for callers facing severe health issues.
Thanks to these efforts, heat-related fatalities have significantly decreased since the 1990s, a trend Lawrence takes pride in.
Though Maldonado managed to survive the heat wave this summer without getting an air conditioner, she doesn’t see it as a priority, at least for now.
As a toll collector, she was employed into late last year before losing her job due to automation.
“I’m not afraid of anything,” she asserted confidently. “And I never need any help… I thank God I’m still able to do that.”
This article highlights the pressing challenges posed by climate change, particularly for vulnerable populations in urban areas like Philadelphia.
It calls for more intersectional approaches to climate adaptation, emphasizing both short-term solutions and long-term resilience strategies to protect those most at risk from extreme heat.
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