It’s uncomfortably hot … everywhere. According to meteorologist and journalist Bob Henson, “… the Climate Reanalyzer website shows that July 3, 2023, was the warmest single day on record — only to be toppled by July 4, tied on July 5, and broken again on July 6 … these were the warmest globally averaged days in centuries, and perhaps even in the 100,000-plus years since the onset of the last ice age.” 

Our dog and the neighbor’s 8-month-old puppy have taken great joy in playing in the plastic baby pool we drug out from the storage shed. They splash and play in the water, and sometime just go stand in it, presumably to cool off their feet. (I think I saw my wife doing the same thing.)

It takes a few minutes for the car AC to kick in, and keeping the windows down for a few blocks only makes us feel like it helps, but probably doesn’t do much to cool things off. We finally got the window AC unit installed in the master bedroom and can at least sleep comfortably at night — with only some regret for using all that energy. At least we keep it off (mostly) during the day.

Our town implemented watering restrictions, but they’re not too onerous. However, having to remember when you can water and for how long is a hassle during a busy (and did I say hot?) day. But we know it’s a lot better than more stringent restrictions that could only follow if our town’s water supply is too diminished. However, there is something magical about walking barefoot through wet grass on a hot day.

I’ve also come to appreciate even more the trees in our neighborhood. We have street trees along most of our streets, and most of the yards have both old and newer trees. The difference that even a small amount of shade makes is significant. Of course, those trees are also sucking up carbon dioxide and pumping out oxygen in their incessant (and much appreciated) battle against global warming.

Global warming takes on a new importance to each of us these days, and maybe, just maybe, to our elected representatives as well. Meanwhile, we look for ways to stay cooler, use less energy, and be more efficient in the energy we use.

One project reported by Matthias Schrader and Dana Beltaji demonstrates the possibility of achieving all three goals, “Solar panels atop crops has been gaining traction in recent years as incentives and demand for clean energy skyrocket. Researchers look into making the best use of agricultural land, and farmers seek ways to shield their crops from blistering heat, keep in moisture and potentially increase yields.”

Placing solar panels over crops is being tried with fields of hops. “In addition to shielding plants from solar stress, the shade could mean ‘water from precipitation lasts longer, leaving more in the soil’ and that ‘the hops stay healthier and are less susceptible to diseases,’ researcher Bernhard Gruber said.”

“The pilot project … was set up in the fall of last year. The electricity made at this farm can power around 250 households, and the hops get shade they’ll need more often as climate change turbocharges summer heat.”

Another benefit of combining solar panels with crops is simple land use efficiency. Roof solar panels use normal roof space for energy generation, but too often solar panel “farms” occupy land that could be put to better use if it was combined with agriculture or other uses. I’ve seen solar panels over parking lots, and reports of solar panels over commuter train tracks. There seem to be lots of ways to go about making solar energy generation and land uses mutually beneficial.

All we need to do is just do it!

Additional information:

Bob Henson, The World Just Broke a Stunning Slew of Heat Records. Why Right Now?, July 7, 2023, Yale Climate Connections

Matthias Schrader And Dana Beltaji, Hops for Beer Flourish Under Solar Panels. They’re Not the Only Crop Thriving In The Shade, July 21, 2023, Associated Press