Author: Sanya Carley

Summer heatwaves are scorching the US, leaving millions without relief from sweltering temperatures. The growing crisis of cooling access impacts those who can’t afford air conditioning, with many facing utility disconnections due to missed payments during a record-breaking hot year. The loss of essential services leaves households vulnerable, especially during extreme weather events. As energy justice researchers, we see an emerging disconnection crisis in the US, exacerbated by climate change. Energy insecurity affects one in four households annually, hitting low-income Americans, people of color, and those with existing financial constraints the hardest. Coping strategies like forgoing essential needs put health…