How Much Heat Can Your Body Take Before Killing You?

Our world is getting undeniably hotter, and parts of it could soon be too hot for human survival. But how could hot temperatures actually kill you?

Waves Can Tell Us A Lot About Climate Change, But You Have to Catch Them First - https://youtu.be/toeoYNQNZgA

Read More:
It’s Not Your Imagination. Summers Are Getting Hotter.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/28/climate/more-frequent-extreme-summer-heat.html
“Extraordinarily hot summers — the kind that were virtually unheard-of in the 1950s — have become commonplace. This year’s scorching summer events, like heat waves rolling through southern Europe and temperatures nearing 130 degrees Fahrenheit in Pakistan, are part of this broader trend.”

The Physics of Keeping Cool
https://www.wired.com/2014/06/the-physics-of-keeping-cool/
“Humans just can't help it. Sometimes they get hot. But alas! Humans have a built in cooling systems. It's called sweat. In order to understand how it works, maybe we should first look at temperature. You can measure the temperature in Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F), but what are you actually measuring?”

How Does a Heat Wave Affect the Human Body?
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/heat-wave-health/
“Heat exhaustion is a relatively common reaction to severe heat and can include symptoms such as dizziness, headache and fainting. It can usually be treated with rest, a cool environment and hydration (including refueling of electrolytes, which are necessary for muscle and other body functions). Heat stroke is more severe and requires medical attention—it is often accompanied by dry skin, a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion and sometimes unconsciousness.”

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Special thanks to Maren Hunsberger for hosting and writing this episode of Seeker!
Check Maren out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/marenbeatrice