3 reasons Why this horrid heatwave in the Austin, Texas summer of 2023 might be a good thing.

 3 reasons Why this horrid heatwave in the Austin, Texas summer of 2023 might be a good thing.

opinion piece written by ATX local and current resident, real estate broker George Vance McGee

#1. This Austin, Texas torrential, abusive, and drought heatwave summer of 2023 in Austin and Central Texas has been downright painful and miserable. For 40 plus straight days and perhaps longer, the daily high temperatures, have been over 100 degree Fahrenheit, and closer to 105, 106, 107  and 108.  When I was kid growing up in pre-discovered Austin, Texas in the 1990's, the max high summer temperatures were around 99 to 100 degrees.

So, reason number #1. Maybe People will stop MOVING to Austin, Texas! Hopefully this awful public relations heatwave, & dry summer fire risks will deter the rest of America's citizens from permanently relocating to Austin, Texan and calling it home. Austin, Texas is full, we literally don't need any more people.  The other morning on the hike and bike trail during the outdoor "safe hours" of 7 am -10 am, there were so many people on the hike and bike trail, it felt like I was stuck on Interstate Highway 35. I was on a pedaling bicycle. 

#2. Clime Change is real! Full disclosure, I personally identify as a centrist voting democrat.  For many years and decades I was quite reluctant on the whole climate change is real topic. The topic just didn't seem as imperative as the economy and human rights, but specifically this oppressive heat and summer of 2023 has made me a believer. At 41.5 years old I have now personally witnessed and grown up during times in Austin, Texas where 99-100 degrees was the max, and today it's 108 degrees. Does this mean when I'm 60 years old, it'll be 120 degrees every summer? As a city dweller we must find ways to  continue to develop, yet embrace green space and use less concrete. The concrete heatbox of urban cities keeps the temperature toasty, like an oven. Perhaps we could invent light, pale or khaki colored pavement to lessen the overall heat collection? Instead of paving and using concrete on everything, mix in green spaces, land and raw dirt into projects to help absorb water and lessen the city's baking process. Here's a political solution idea, "the 1 Million Trees Act," where the USA government uses our tax dollars to purchase, fund and plant 1 million new TREES in the USA, where they are most needed. Perhaps this heatwave will cause folks to move to rural areas and make country living popular?

#3. We are forced to embrace INDOOR HOBBIES. Let's all get some new indoor hobbies. As Austin, Texas residents we normally love and embrace nature, exercise and the outdoors. During this 2023 Heatwave it is unsafe and warned to not physically go outside during the prime 3 pm- 7 pm major heatwave hours.  So grab a book, hop on an indoor treadmill or exercise machine, watch a movie, stay in the air-conditioning, or sleep on your couch. It's indoor hobbies summer time! What a bummer that I have to write that.