Arizona vs. Australia: Who Handles Heat Better?

When it comes to heat tolerance, both Arizona and Australia have their own unique challenges and solutions. Here's a detailed comparison of how each place deals with high temperatures.

Arizona: A Dry Desert Kingdom

Arizona, particularly its southern region, renowned for its blazing heat, is a marvel of resilience. Phoenix, the 10th largest metro area in the United States, stands as a testament to human adaptation in a dry, arid environment. The extreme temperatures in Phoenix can soar up to 115 or 118 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, making it one of the hottest spots in the country.

Despite the intense heat, Arizona has a well-planned infrastructure to accommodate the harsh conditions. Homes feature white reflective roofs that help reflect sunlight, thus reducing the amount of heat absorbed into the building. Native plants, which require less water, are widely used in landscaping, and strategically placed trees provide essential shade to homes, especially on the west side where the sun sets. These measures, combined with the dry nature of the heat, which often cools down during a humid spell, make Arizona uniquely equipped to handle extreme temperatures.

Challenges in Arizona

However, the heat in Arizona is not without its challenges. During exceptionally hot summers, such as in 2023, the Phoenix airport had to close for a week, due to the intolerable heat. The danger posed by such extreme conditions underscore the importance of robust infrastructure and regular heat advisories.

Australia: The Heat of the Great Southern Land

Australia, a vast and diverse continent, presents a different set of challenges. The varied climate of this island nation means that while some regions face mild winters, much of the country is characterized by intense heat, especially in its central and northern parts. Unlike Arizona, which is mostly arid, Australia has diverse climates, ranging from dry deserts to humid tropical zones.

Theheat in Australia is often described as "dry" in the interior regions, which can be endured. However, the tropical areas experience a "Humid" heat, which can be oppressive and mentally sapping, leading to the colloquial phrase "gone troppo.” This term perfects describes the feeling of being overwhelmed by heat, one of the more challenging aspects of living in tropical areas.

Adaptation in Australia

Australian architecture and urban planning have evolved to make sense of this harsh climate. Unfortunately, many homes and buildings lack the necessary features to combat extreme heat effectively.

Many treeless house blocks and roads that are constantly exposed to the sun exacerbate heat levels in urban areas. Houses are often oriented to maximize street frontage rather than minimize the impact of the sun's heat. Narrow eaves on roofs, dark roofs, and dark paint on houses and car exteriors absorb more heat rather than reflecting it. Even parks and gardens may have minimal vegetation, with concrete and grass being prioritized for aesthetic and functional reasons. Smaller and smaller verandas, and fences made of concrete or metal instead of wood, further exacerbate the heat problem.

Despite these challenges, some areas in Australia, like coastal cities, are better adapted to the heat. Still, the majority of major cities are located on the cooler coast, such as Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. The desert town of Alice Springs, while having a dry climate, is much smaller and less densely populated than urban areas in Arizona.

Conclusion

While both Arizona and Australia face the challenge of extreme heat, Arizona's well-planned adaptation strategies and innovative solutions in architecture and landscaping make it a formidable competitor. However, the sheer scale of the problem in Australia, combined with the unique challenges posed by different climatic zones, mean that Arizona holds its own as a place that effectively manages and mitigates the effects of extreme heat.