Exploring the Impact of Temperature Extremes on the Human Body: From Climate Change in Fiction to the Reality of Heat-Related Challenges.

In Andy Weir’s 2021 novel Project Hail Mary, a 5 to 10 percent dimming of the sun triggers a global ecosystem and food chain collapse. While this may seem fictional, the struggle against climate change takes a political forefront, overshadowing scientific urgency, exemplified by the U.S.'s wavering stance on the Paris Accord.

In the era of human-induced climate change, headlines often focus on the fate of ice caps and low-lying lands. Emerging diseases, intensified storms, and the warming climate dominate discussions. Yet, what about the human body?

Surviving Extreme Heat: A Body's Silent Battle

Despite our ability to endure hot baths and engage in outdoor activities, extreme heat poses a threat. The EPA reports 11,000 U.S. deaths directly linked to heat exposure (1979-2018), with likely more unaccounted for.

Heat-induced conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, along with exacerbation of preexisting cardiovascular diseases, contribute to the risks. The body's intricate water balance becomes a critical factor, with rapid evaporation leading to dehydration, impacting organs and blood circulation.

Internal and External Limits

Externally, the human thermoneutral zone, where the body maintains equilibrium, likely spans 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Internal limits reveal dangers, with brain damage at 107.6 degrees. The highest survivable body temperature recorded was 115.7 degrees, while extreme cold survival hit 56.7 degrees.

Managing Extreme Temperatures

Adapting to extreme temperatures involves staying hydrated, replenishing electrolytes, and minimizing exposure. Counterintuitively, electric fans may exacerbate dehydration due to increased evaporation. With climate change escalating, proactive adaptation becomes crucial to survival in increasingly inhospitable conditions.