3 Ways Extreme Heat Can Hurt the Economy

As dozens of cities in the West experience all-time high temperatures, 2021 is expected to have one of the hottest summers on record. The extreme heat has caused hundreds of deaths, sparked wildfires and worsened drought conditions in over a dozen states.

Business Insider cites a large body of work that links heat to economic outcomes. Here are 3 ways they say extreme heat affects the economy:

1. Extreme heat hinders growth. A 2018 study found that the economies of US states tend to grow at a slower pace during relatively hot summers. Higher summer temperatures reduce growth in many industries, and workers are less productive when it’s hotter out.

2. Higher temperatures equal lower crop yields. Extreme heat takes a toll on some crops, including corn, soybeans and cotton. The consequently lower yields could be costly for US agriculture which depends heavily on those crops.

3. High temperatures drastically increase energy use. According to a 2011 study, just one day with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can increase annual household energy use by 0.4%. This increase in electricity use stresses electric grids which can lead to blackouts. California’s 2019 blackout cost the state an estimated $10 billion.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Benchmark
What Is It Like for You to Be Part of the Benchmark Products Teams Now
December 23, 2025

Being part of the Benchmark Products team today means working at the intersection of precision manufacturing and deeply human collaboration, especially in the high-stakes world of cleanroom and sterility assurance solutions. As the organization grows, employees describe a culture that still feels familial—one where clear communication, personal accountability, and genuine care for customers drive…

Read More
Cleaning
Do Your Friends Ever Ask You For Cleaning Tips
December 23, 2025

In a media landscape increasingly shaped by privacy constraints, data clean rooms have emerged as a quiet but powerful way for brands to collaborate without exposing sensitive information, even if, as Will Sepsis quips, some partners would still prefer that “ignorance is bliss.” That tension—between curiosity and caution—captures the moment we’re in, where understanding…

Read More
Clean
Do You Friends Ask You For Cleaning Methods or Clean Their Home
December 23, 2025

At Benchmark Products, where cleanroom precision is part of everyday work, professionals often discover that specialized knowledge doesn’t always translate neatly into casual conversations—especially when friends jokingly wonder if you’ll critique their homes or turn them into germaphobes. The reality is that cleanroom science is about controlled environments and risk mitigation at an industrial scale,…

Read More
cleaner
Has Working at Benchmark Made You Cleaner at Home
December 23, 2025

At Benchmark Products, where clean room discipline is second nature, the habits forged on the job often follow employees home, turning everyday chores into a mindful extension of professional rigor. As voices like Will Sepsis illustrate, working in environments where precision cleaning protects products and people alike can quietly reshape how you see a…

Read More