September 2, 2026
By Ramona Cornell du Houx
PITTSBURGH — During the summer a “heat dome” hovered over much of the eastern half of the U.S., trapping warm air over the area for an extended period. Pittsburgh experienced at least eight days of extreme heat that put residents and surrounding communities at risk from overheating.
Pittsburgh residents struggle with the extreme heat that continues to worsen year after year due to the warming of the planet largely because of America’s continued use of fossil fuels, which creates greenhouse gases and temperatures rise. This climate crisis, caused by the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, creates more intense and longer-lasting heat waves that cover larger areas, according to scientists.
“Extreme heat events are getting more common here in Western Pennsylvania, and they’re jacking up energy prices for everyone. Extreme heat can also be dangerous—especially for our senior citizens,” said US Congressman Chris Deluzio, District 17, Former U.S. Navy officer. “It’s important to know how to stay safe, recognize the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion, and look out for one another during extreme heat events.”
Extended exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of developing illnesses, like heat stroke, and exacerbates other existing ailments, such as heart disease or diabetes. The situation is worse in low-income areas and communities of color for they are disproportionately more likely to experience extreme heat, and their residents are less able pay more for increased air conditioner electric bills. This heat also strains the grid system, putting lives at risk.
“Extreme heat kills more people every year than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined,” said Christian Brock, Elected Officials to Protect America Senior Advisor, Air Force Veteran. “As fossil fuel-based energy continues to fuel the warming of the planet, extreme weather events are becoming frequent and fierce. The solutions to protecting our families from extreme heat and achieving energy security depend on the deployment of more renewable energy, continued energy efficiencies and resilience measures. The federal government could provide the funding, facilities, and services necessary to save more lives during extreme weather events. But actions by the current administration have hindered climate crisis mitigation progress, putting people and their communities at higher risk.”
The convergence of extreme heat waves and heightened air pollution from fossil-fuel infrastructure exacerbates the public health crises.
“As we face longer, hotter summers, protecting clean air, clean water, and healthy ecosystems is essential to protecting public health. Clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment are not privileges reserved for a select few they are fundamental rights that belong to all of us,” said NaTisha Washington, Wilkinsburge City Council Member. “When federal clean-energy investments and resilience protections are pulled back, Pennsylvania families pay the price. The stress, polluted air, higher utility bills, and fewer outside local jobs are the result. On the other hand, clean energy investments save families money, bring cleaner air and can help mitigate weather extremes. We must do everything in our power to protect people from climate crisis dangers.”
Communities of color and low-income bear double the national average for asthma rates, alongside increased rates of cardiovascular strain and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
“Extreme heat is becoming the norm. Without clean energy investments, climate resilience measures and critical environmental protections, the fossil fuel industries continue to wreak havoc on disenfranchised communities facing no accountability. It’s criminal,” said Fred Quinn III, Former Swissvale Borough Council member. “We need to make sure health outcomes—no matter your zip code–become equitable. Redlining has disenfranchised generations. It has to stop for the promise of America to be realized.”
The “urban heat island effect” hurts Black neighborhoods like the Hill District more than districts with green spaces. Due to decades of redlining, these communities have fewer trees, less green canopy, and vastly more concrete and asphalt. As a result, these neighborhoods can register temperatures up to 5 degrees hotter than wealthier, greener parts of Pittsburgh.
“Although I am a Councilwoman in Swissvale, the Hill District will forever have a special place in my heart because this is the community that made me who I am today. I still have family and friends that still live in the Hill District. They are being impacted by the current administration’s disinvestment in environmental justice communities. No one should have to choose between cooling their home, filling a prescription, and putting food on the table. We need to act now to protect people,” said Angela D. Stribling, Swissvale Borough Council member.
