Extreme heat and climate change increasing social isolation

Research suggests that extreme heat and frequent weather events driven by climate change may be exacerbating the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation. While community members often attempt to support one another during heatwaves by sharing alerts or checking on vulnerable neighbors, the broader environmental shifts are straining the social fabric.

Fiona Doherty, an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, has studied these overlapping crises. Her team’s research in the rural Appalachian region indicates that extreme weather makes social activities more difficult in several ways. High temperatures often force individuals to retreat into air-conditioned indoor spaces, reducing face-to-face interaction. Additionally, severe storms and flooding can make travel unsafe, preventing people from visiting relatives or attending gatherings. Extreme weather also poses a risk to communication, as power outages can sever the digital channels used to maintain social connections.