Someone posted a link to this, recently:
xkcd.com/…
The chart at that link starts 22,000 years ago. It is a very long chart, that has us scrolling down, a long ways. Looking at that chart gives me a nice overview of the big picture.
I looked at the forecast, on that chart, to see how much hotter it will get, by the year 2100.
Looks like almost 40 degrees hotter.
For me, here in Wichita, Kansas, where we get 100 degrees, once or twice a summer, that would mean 140 degrees?
My basement (of my apartment building) is 80 degrees. (I placed a small thermometer down there, to keep track of it.)
Will my basement still be 80 degrees, in the year 2100?
My basement felt so very cool, Wednesday, the 12th of July.
We had, at 10 PM, after sunset, 88 degrees, with 91% humidity, which gave us a heat index of 113.
Walking outdoors, in that muggy weather, then down into my basement, was so dramatic. At the bottom of the stairs, and inside that basement, I felt so cool, so nice.
According to the heat index chart, at 80 degrees, even 100% humidity only gives a heat index of 87:
www.bing.com/…
Here is my copy and paste, of a comment I posted, in the thread of a recent trending diary:
Seems to me, we must do two things:
- Do everything we can, to make changes, to reduce the global warming.
- Do everything we can, to make changes, to find ways to survive global warming.
We need to do both, at all times.
We need to do both.
I have one small complaint.
No, it’s a big complaint.
The only information I see presented here at Daily Kos, is information dealing with that first one.
I have seen pretty much zero, about how to do that second one.
For example:
Basements.
Basements are always cool enough, that nobody ever died of heat related troubles, in a basement, as far as I know.
So, along with communicating with lawmakers, and leaders, and big business, and each other, about how we can do that first one, make the changes we need to make, we need to do the second one.
The first time I ever read any words about basements, and how use of basements can help save lives, was just now, the words I wrote.
I know, many places have a water table that is way too high, and they cannot dig out a basement, it would be flooded at all times. One example is the Gulf Coast region. I lived there for ten years. No basements there.
But I have seen many basements, in Missouri and in Kansas, basements with no water in them at all. I live in a fourplex, and it has a nice cool basement where I can go, on a hot day. It never has any water in it.
So, who is encouraging folks to avoid death, by moving into any available basement, when it gets too hot?
Just goofy old bigjac. (As far as I know!)
Hugs!
I forgot about what they call, “Garden Level” places. I have seen apartments like that, here in Wichita, Kansas: (The photo at this link is not from Wichita.):
www.apartmentadvisor.com/…
If you’re standing in a garden apartment, your head will probably be about even with the sidewalk. So, think of a garden unit’s location as partially below grade, but not at basement level.
Standing in a garden level place, you should have fairly big windows, so you can see a sunny day outside. But it should be much easier to cool it, being halfway underground.
This is from a reply that I got to that comment I posted at the top:
www.dailykos.com/...
My grandma’s father died from a lifetime around musty books in basement booksellers, so I heard.
Basements can be quite unhealthy.
So, without going too deep into all the microbes that might be in basement air, I looked up a device that should help with filtering out mold spores and such:
www.walmart.com/…
WEN Products 3-Speed Remote-Controlled Air Filtration System (300/350/400 CFM)
Basements are usually damp, so, we need de-humidifying:
www.walmart.com/…
AGLUCKY 4,500 sq. ft Dehumidifiers for Home, 50 Pints Dehumidifier w/Drain Hose, 24 Timer, Overheat Protection, Ideal for Bedrooms, Basements, Bathrooms, and Laundry Rooms
I am single now, and I can walk down to any basement, if it has a handrail with its stairs.
But my first wife, Pam, was a wheelchair user, and my second wife, Tonia, had to use a wheelchair for the last year or so of her life.
So, another important feature for basements:
Wheelchair accessibility:
en.wikipedia.org/…
In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a slope of no more than 1:12 for wheelchairs and scooters for business and public use, which works out to 1 foot (305 mm) of ramp for each one inch (25.4 mm) of rise. For example, a 20-inch (510 mm) rise requires a minimum of 20 feet (6.10 m) in length of ramp. Additionally, ADA limits the longest single span of ramp, prior to a rest or turn platform, to 30 feet (9.14 m).[2][3]
So, to go 7 feet down, you will need a ramp that is 84 feet long. But, if that ramp seems that it would end up clear off your property, think about a switchback ramp. 20 feet out, 20 feet left, 20 feet right, and 24 feet left.
Here is another option:
acornstairlifts.com/…
Should you buy a stair lift?
Acorn Stairlifts will help you master 'the three Rs': Regain your independence, Retain full use of your home, and Remain in the home you love. Installing an Acorn Stairlift turns your home into a bungalow, by removing the obstacle of stairs if they become too challenging.
Also, home elevators:
www.stiltzlifts.com/…
The Trio Alta has an innovative design that can comfortably accommodate a wheelchair, while remaining compact and pleasant to the eye.
Okay, what I plan to do, for the rest of my life, when it gets crazy hot:
- A/C
- Cold shower.
- Go to the basement.
I understand, millions of folks need to work outdoors, in the heat, to earn a living.
Lots of Gatorade, and wide brimmed hats, and lots of breaks, in the shade, if possible, is my suggestions. If their bosses let them!
Hey, if you have more nuts-and-bolts ideas, to avoid death from the heat, post them in the comments, if you like.
Hugs!