Is it time to re-name "summer?" Plus, prom fashion is all grown up
Digest
This episode of "It's Been a Minute" delves into the increasingly severe weather patterns impacting the United States, particularly during the summer months. NPR climate correspondents Lauren Summer and Nate Rock discuss how the summer season is becoming synonymous with "disaster season" due to the rising frequency and intensity of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and extreme heat. They highlight the significant impact of these events on the insurance industry, with insurance companies facing mounting losses and increasing premiums. This trend is making it increasingly difficult for people to obtain home insurance, particularly in climate-vulnerable areas, and is exacerbating the existing housing crisis. The episode also explores the challenges of adapting to these changing conditions, emphasizing the need for infrastructure upgrades and a shift away from fossil fuels. The episode concludes with a lighthearted game of "But Did You Know?" where Lauren and Nate test their knowledge about cicadas, highlighting the fascinating world of insects and their impact on the environment.
Outlines
Introduction: The Body Electric Study and the Body Electric Challenge
This Chapter introduces the Body Electric Study, a program that encourages people to change their sedentary lifestyles. The study saw amazing effects and now the Body Electric Challenge is available for people to try.
It's Been a Minute: Summer Vacation, Severe Weather, and Home Ownership
This Chapter introduces the topic of the episode, exploring the connection between summer vacation, severe weather, and home ownership. The hosts discuss how climate change is impacting the summer season, leading to more extreme weather events and making it harder for people to buy homes.
But Did You Know?: Cicadas
This Chapter features a game called "But Did You Know?" where the hosts test their knowledge about cicadas. They discuss the emergence of trillions of cicadas in the southeast and Midwest, their life cycle, and their edible nature.
Prom Fashion: A Reflection of Teen Style
This Chapter explores the changing trends in prom fashion, highlighting how teens are increasingly opting for more adult-like styles. The hosts discuss the influence of social media and the decline of teen-specific media on fashion choices.
Keywords
Climate Change
Climate change refers to the long-term shift in global weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to rising temperatures, more extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns. Climate change is a significant global challenge with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human societies, and the economy.
Disaster Season
Disaster season refers to a period of time when the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods, are significantly higher than usual. This term is increasingly used to describe the summer months in the United States due to the impact of climate change.
Home Ownership
Home ownership refers to the act of owning a residential property. It is a significant financial investment and a major part of the American dream. However, rising housing costs, insurance premiums, and climate change are making home ownership increasingly challenging for many people.
Insurance Industry
The insurance industry provides financial protection against various risks, including property damage, health issues, and accidents. Climate change is posing significant challenges to the insurance industry, as extreme weather events are leading to increased claims and higher payouts. This is causing insurance companies to raise premiums and even withdraw from certain markets.
Cicadas
Cicadas are insects known for their loud buzzing sound and their periodic emergence from the ground. Periodical cicadas, which emerge every 13 or 17 years, are particularly fascinating due to their synchronized emergence in large numbers. Cicadas are a vital part of the ecosystem, playing a role in pollination and providing food for other animals.
Prom Fashion
Prom fashion refers to the clothing styles worn by teenagers attending prom, a formal dance held at the end of the school year. Prom fashion has evolved over time, reflecting changing trends in youth culture and the influence of social media. The increasing popularity of adult-like styles in prom dresses is a recent trend that reflects the blurring of age boundaries in fashion.
Q&A
How is climate change impacting the summer season in the United States?
Climate change is leading to more extreme weather events during the summer months, including hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and extreme heat. This is making the summer season increasingly dangerous and unpredictable, leading to the term "disaster season" being used to describe it.
How is climate change affecting the insurance industry?
Climate change is causing significant challenges for the insurance industry, as extreme weather events are leading to increased claims and higher payouts. This is causing insurance companies to raise premiums and even withdraw from certain markets, making it harder for people to obtain home insurance.
How is the changing insurance landscape impacting home ownership?
The rising cost of home insurance and the difficulty in obtaining it are making home ownership increasingly challenging, particularly in climate-vulnerable areas. This is exacerbating the existing housing crisis and making it harder for people to achieve the American dream of owning a home.
What are some ways to adapt to the changing climate?
Adapting to climate change requires a multi-pronged approach, including infrastructure upgrades, such as improving storm drains and wastewater treatment systems, and a shift away from fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Individual actions, such as defensible space planning around homes, can also help mitigate the risks of extreme weather events.
What are some of the trends in prom fashion?
Teens are increasingly opting for more adult-like styles in prom dresses, with many choosing dresses from brands that typically cater to bridesmaids or those that resemble red carpet looks. This trend reflects the influence of social media and the decline of teen-specific media on fashion choices.
How has the decline of teen-specific media impacted fashion choices?
The decline of teen magazines and the rise of social media have led to a blurring of age boundaries in fashion, with teens and adults alike being exposed to the same trends and influencers. This has resulted in a more homogenized fashion landscape, where the distinction between teen and adult styles is becoming less clear.
Show Notes
Then, it's prom season and high schoolers are showing out! But styles have changed since the days of poofy dresses and bedazzled purses: prom fashion has reportedly become more adult. For many young people, prom reflects their ideas of glamour, so does this shift say something new about the fantasies of girlhood? Brittany sits down with writer Hilary George-Parkin who wrote about the blurring of age in fashion.
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