“Climate Code Red” – A Summer of Learning

Climate change is no longer a distant worry but an unfortunate reality, the effects of which communities across Arizona increasingly experience. Southern Arizonans routinely contend with some of the hottest temperatures in the United States, with lengthy periods of extreme heat that pose real risks to public health. High temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke — especially among children, older adults, and those without reliable access to cooling. The region’s heat waves also increase air pollution, exacerbate chronic health conditions, and strain community resources. Engaging middle and high school students on these issues is crucial because young people are both vulnerable to the health effects of extreme heat and uniquely positioned to take action. By understanding the challenges and learning to advocate for solutions, students can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities — now and in the future. 

This summer SCORCH partnered with the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) and the UA College of Pharmacy, integrating “Climate Code Red” lessons on heat and health into three educational programs – PharmCamp, Steps 2 STEM, and Our Land, Our Education, Our Health (OLEH) – and engaging middle and high school students from schools across Southern Arizona. Led by SCORCH interns and graduate students, Royani Saha, Imran Mithu, Charity Moparthy, and Ozlem Erol, SCORCH developed “Climate Code Red” curriculum to teach participants about the health impacts of extreme heat through a variety of hands-on activities. While the core curricular materials across the three sessions are consistent, each had unique approaches to engage students in discovering how the environment, specifically extreme heat, impacts our health while exploring innovative ways to build safer, more resilient communities.

Across all three sessions, students engaged in meaningful conversations about who is most affected by heat, the connections between health and the environment, and actions — big and small — that can build awareness and protect both individual and community health during extreme heat. They proposed tangible solutions such as planting trees, building shaded areas, and educating peers about heat safety.

This was more than just a lesson — it was a call to action. Equipped with new knowledge, students left inspired to protect their communities and to see themselves as future changemakers.

Note: If you are interested in accessing "Climate Code Red" curriculum for your school, please contact Mona Arora.