My Car Doesn’t Have Air Conditioning: In 30 Years, That Might Mean Death.
The extreme heat in Phoenix, Arizona causes mirages to become normal occurrences.
Written by Emilia Kim
As a 17-year-old high schooler, I’m incredibly lucky to drive my 2004 Toyota Camry. It is a car full of memories: car karaoke, sibling banter, and road trips to visit extended family. It’s safe, and reliable, and the radio isn’t half bad. So, I was elated when I got to drive it at 16. The one downside: it has no AC. Meaning, that when I get out of school during peak afternoon at 1:30, the Arizona heat makes my face feel like it’s melting.
This is one small glimpse into reality for many Arizonans. Coping with the temperature is becoming increasingly hard, especially as the cost of living increases. My family and I aren’t in a position to purchase a new car, but I still need to go to school. In the coming years, this problem will only be exacerbated. I am scared for my younger sister, who may inherit the car after me, and the temperatures she might face.
A ProPublica and Rhodium Group study found that some Arizona counties will be uninhabitable in the next 20-40 years. They accounted for “changes in rising temperatures, rainfall, wildfire frequency, humidity, sea level rises, agriculture yields and economic damages…” So Arizona needs to make changes soon.
But what does that look like? There are many ways to affect legislation, with the most common example taking place on November 5, 2024: voting. However, climate change’s primary advocates are young people, and they aren’t always eligible. Many climate activists encourage joining local sustainability organizations or organizing for local politicians who will fight for important issues. These actions mobilize voters and promote the movement. Allison Kuester from the Arizona Youth Climate Coalition states, “If you can vote, vote. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to each other. We owe it to our planet.” Together, we can fight for a future that’s livable. In 30 years, I hope to see an Arizona that remains habitable, but it won’t happen without action.
