Dr. Julie A. González, Environmental Justice Postdoctoral Fellow at CECE, was invited to join a live news forum with journalist Cesar Miguel Rondón, broadcast simultaneously on TVV Network and Éxitos 107.1 FM Miami, to discuss headlines about regions projected to face dangerous levels of extreme heat by 2050. In her remarks (timecode 1:14 to 1:30 of the episode), she explained that these are model projections from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and not an indication that life will suddenly cease in those regions. Instead, the science shows growing risks, particularly though wet-bulb temperature, a measure that combines heat and humidity to mark the limits of human survival. She emphasized that while the headlines are striking, the underlying crisis is real, already unfolding, and requires immediate action.
Dr. González notes that NASA projections indicate that parts of the U.S. Midwest may increasingly face dangerous periods of extreme heat under high-emissions models. She stressed that these outcomes are not inevitable if action is taken now, advocating for green space, green policies, and broader public education on these critical issues.
She also highlighted that Latino communities in the U.S., particularly individuals with limited resources, are already experiencing disproportionate impacts from severe heat, making equity central to any meaningful response.
Link to full interview: here
