By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
In Caribou, Maine, a town with a population of 7,400, children swarmed the splash pad at noon on Wednesday to escape soaring temperatures, while adjacent folding chairs at a cooling center for elderly residents remained vacant despite three air conditioners running at full blast.
Efforts to publicize the cooling center across Aroostook County included social media, radio, TV, and local newspapers. However, in rural Maine and many parts of rural America, implementing heat relief strategies similar to those in cities proves challenging.
"We're here," noted Gary Marquis, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department.
This week, large swaths of the country, including Maine, experienced unusual mid June heat waves. In urban areas, residents sought relief in shaded parks, public pools, and were hydrated by paramedics and police, all tactics recommended by health officials to prevent heat related illnesses.
These strategies are effective in densely populated urban settings but pose difficulties in rural areas where populations are widely dispersed.
"We're overlooking a significant segment of our society those with higher rates of chronic illness, elderly populations, and lower incomes," remarked Kevin Lanza, assistant professor of environmental science at UTHealth Houston in Austin. "These factors heighten the vulnerability of rural communities to climate change impacts."
Regions less accustomed to extreme heat, such as parts of Maine, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Alaska, are considered socially vulnerable due to inadequate preparation and infrastructure. Factors exacerbating risks include substandard housing, limited transportation options, and financial hardships.
Cooling centers' availability in Maine is determined locally, with Vanessa Corson from the Maine Emergency Management Agency advising residents in remote areas to seek air conditioned public places like stores, restaurants, or libraries.
In Aroostook County, where Caribou is located, Marquis reported rarely being asked to open a cooling center, including once about two years ago, when no one attended. Urban focused heat relief research and initiatives have largely neglected rural areas, noted Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University. "Strategies like cooling centers work well in cities but are less effective in rural settings," she observed. "We need tailored interventions."
Jason Troyer, director of the Emergency Management Agency in Holmes County, Ohio, emphasized education as a primary tool. He advises rural residents, including the predominantly Amish community, to avoid sun exposure during peak hours and wear loose, cool clothing.
Many rural areas, characterized by low income demographics and mobile homes with inadequate insulation, exacerbate heat exposure risks. Maggie Sugg, associate professor at Appalachian State University, called for policies akin to winter heat protections, suggesting utility companies should refrain from disconnecting services during extreme heat.
Efficiency Maine's executive director, Michael Stoddard, highlighted federal efforts to install heat pumps in manufactured homes, citing their energy efficiency for both heating and cooling.
In response to changing climate conditions, including rising summer temperatures, Maine residents like Jon Barrett have increasingly turned to heat pumps for cooling, marking a shift in regional climate adaptation strategies.