{
  "id": 185837,
  "title": "Climate change may be making us lonelier: How heat waves and extreme weather disrupt social connections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/climate-change-may-be-making-us-lonelier-how-heat-waves-and-extreme-185837",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-05T16:40:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-climate-lonelier-extreme-weather-disrupt.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Severe weather events, such as heat waves, floods, and wildfires, can disrupt social connections within communities by closing down social activities and keeping people indoors. Climate change is not only altering the environment but also affecting our ability to connect with each other. Social connection is crucial for individual and collective well-being, as it keeps the brain active, reduces stress levels, and enables timely information sharing during emergencies. During extreme weather, people rely on social ties to share warning signs, check on vulnerable community members, and coordinate cooling shelters.\n\nHowever, climate change may be weakening the social fabric that supports community resilience. As extreme weather becomes more prevalent, it can impair relationships, disrupt routines, damage gathering places, and erode community traditions. Rising temperatures have led to a decline in in-person interactions among Americans, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. In rural Appalachia, extreme weather has further hindered social activities. High temperatures discourage outdoor gatherings and events, while severe storms and flooding can make travel unsafe, preventing people from attending social functions.\n\nExtreme weather can also cut off communication channels, as power outages caused by storms and flooding often lead to internet and cellular service interruptions. This leaves residents without crucial communication tools during emergencies when they need them the most. Climate change can also impact places and traditions that foster social connections. For example, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee destroyed a beloved community gathering spot known as \"the reservoir\" in Cherry Valley, New York, leaving residents without a shared space to socialize. Similarly, an extreme drought and prolonged heat in the Appalachian region affected gathering places, traditions, and community connections. Residents reported dry water sources, wildfires, and crop losses that threatened beloved local traditions, such as the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival.\n\nThe disruption of social connections often overlaps in communities facing frequent, consecutive weather events. A severe storm may trigger flooding and power outages during a heat wave, disrupting transportation and communication during dangerously hot temperatures. People who are socially isolated, such as older adults and those living in rural areas or lacking reliable transportation and internet access, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and extreme weather. As global temperatures continue to rise due to human activities, climate change increasingly impacts daily life, making social connection essential for responding to extreme weather and working together to adapt to a changing climate. Investing in community hubs, such as public libraries, can help bolster social connection year-round by providing inclusive lifelong learning activities, cooling shelters, and climate resilience resources.",
  "summary": "Severe storms, heat waves and wildfires can shut down the social life of a community, flooding out festivals, canceling community events and keeping people indoors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Conversation",
        "title": "Climate change may be making us lonelier: How heat waves and extreme weather disrupt social connections everyone relies on",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/climate-change-may-be-making-us-lonelier-how-heat-waves-and-extreme",
        "published": "2026-08-05T12:33:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}