It is no secret that the summer heat has been in full swing this year. In fact, this summer has actually tied the record for New Orleans’s all-time high-temperature record, reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit on Aug. 23, according to NOLA.com.
Because of this, it is essential to know how to deal with this heat wave. This is especially true for students from out of state who may have never had to deal with high temperatures like these before.
Madison Davis, a freshman student from Washington DC said, these are the highest temperatures she’s ever experienced.
“The hottest it gets [in Washington] is about 90-93 degrees,” Davis shared. While it is only a few degrees hotter in New Orleans, the humidity levels make the real difference. On average, Louisiana reaches a humidity percentage of 74%, according to Forbes. Meanwhile the states surrounding DC only reach an average of 68% humidity.
Despite the differences in humidity, even locals have a hard time dealing with this oppressive heat.
A native New Orleanian student, Tez Falghou, gave his advice on how he deals with the excessive temperatures.
“I drink a lot of water,” Falghou said. “Loyola could have cold water stations to help with the heat. By cold water stations, I mean places where there’s free water bottles in coolers.”
Robert Thomas, an environmental professor here at Loyola, also gave his opinions on long-term solutions to the global warming phenomenon.
“Our elected officials must recognize that climate change is real and the science is solid. We need to elect an enlightened leader who will create a federal agency whose total responsibility is to address climate change at all levels of government,” Thomas said.“Humans are resilient, but this is a global threat and will require federal guidance and assistance.”
Thomas also warns that although weather systems are complex and seem cyclical, he feels extreme heat may be with us for some time.
